Full text of "Notes geographical and historical, relating to the town of Brooklyn, in Kings County on Long-Island"

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i£x ICtbrtH

SEYMOUR DURST

-f ' 'Tort tuewu x^lm/ierdam. oj^ Je l/Lattha,tarus

FORT NEW AMSTERDAM.

(KEV.'^ YORK.) , 1651.

"When you leave, please leave this hook

Because it has heen said
"Sver'thing comes t' him who waits

Except a loaned hook."

Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/notesgeographicaOOfurm_0

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Compiler offers these notes to the inhabit-
ants of his native town, in the hope that they may
be in some small degree useful and entertaining in
discussions relating to the history and rights of this
thriving place. He claims no merit for this per-
formance, and neither does he write from the van-
ity of being considered an author, but is only actu-
ated by a desire to rescue from oblivion such facts
as may be interesting to his fellow-citizens. The
Compiler would consider himself guilty of ingrati-
tude, if he did not in this public manner, acknow-
ledge the obligations he rests under from the kind
assistance afforded him whilst collecting these no-
tices, by Jeremiah Johnson, Abraham Vanderveer^
Silas Wood, and John Doughty. Esqrs.

NOTES

GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL,

BELAT1NG TO THE

^ioinai lof air^^w^Wi

KINGS COUNTY

BY GABRIEL FURMAN.

''They are worthy of reprehension who contemn the study of
antiquity, (which Is ever accompanied with dignity) as an arid
curiosity." Lord Coke.

BROOKLYiy.

PRINTED BY A. SPOONER, NO. 50 FULTON-STREET.

1824.

cirf^tf

n'5

Reprinted 1968
by

RENASCENCE

13 Hunts Lane

Brooklyn, New York 11201

NOTES he.

OF THE

TOWN OF BROOKLYN.

SITUATION.

This town is situated in Kinpcs County, on the
west end of Long-Island, in the State of New-York.
It is bounded north by the City and County of
New-York ; east by the township of Bushwick ;
south by the township of Flatbush and New Ulrecfit;
and west bv New-York Bav; and contains the
village of Brooklyn, which is about a mile square.
This town formerly composed part of a powerful
Indian Sachemdom ; and with tlie other parts of
the Island bore the Indian name of Matowcas.

This part of the Island, as far as Jamaica was in-
habited by the Canarsee tribe of Indians. The old
Dutch inhabitnnts in this county havea tradition, that
the Canarsee Indians were subject to the iVlohawks,
as all the Iroquois were called ; and paid them an an-
nual tribute of dried clams and wan)pum. When
the Dutch settled here, they persuaded the Canar-
sees to keep back the tribute; in consequence of
w hich a party ot the Mohawks came down and kill-
ed their tributaries VN herever they met them. So
great was the dread that these Indians afierwards
entertained of the Iroquois, that when a party of the
Iroquois, during the French war were taken pris-
oners and imprisoned in the Jail of this county, the
Canarsees avoided them with the greatest care ; and
seemed to be afraid even to come where they should

1 *

see them. The Canarsee Indians are at this time
totally extinct: not a single member of that ill fa-
ted race is now in existence.

There was also a small tribe of the Nyack Indi-
ans near the Narrows.

In this town is also the United States Navy- Yard,
containing about 40 acres ; which was purchased
of John Jackson, Esq. by Francis Childs, Esq. for
$40,000, and on the 23d day of February, 1801,
was conveyed by said Childs to the United States.

ANCIENT NAMES AND REMAINS.

In 1667, this town was known by the name of
Breucklen. In the act to divide the province of
New- York into shires and counties, passed Nov. 1,
1683, it is mentioned by the name of Breucklyn.
It is also called Broucklvn in the act to divide the
province into shires and counties, passed, Oct. 1,
1691. The present name Brooklyn, does not ap-
pear to have been generally adopted until after the
Revolutionary war.

Heads of Indian arrows, beds of oyster and clam
shells denoting the former residence of the abori-
gines, are frequently foiuid in different parts of this
town.

Among the most ancient remains are two houses,
one owned by the family of Cortelyou, built in
1699 ; tiie other standing on Fulton-street, in the
village of Brooklyn. The last mentioned house
was occupied by the Colonial Legislature as a Ses-
sions house, during the prevalence of the small-pi)X
in New-York, in 1 752 ; and at this house on the 4th
of June, 1752,2541 Bills of credit issued by this
Colony, amounting to £3602, 18, 3, were cancelled
by the Colonial Commissioners. This house was
also occupied by Gen. Putnam as his head quarters

during the stay of the American Army, on Long-
Island, in 1776. But the oldest house in the town
of Brooklyn is supposed to be the house known as
No. 64 Fulton-street, in the village of Brooklyn,
and now owned and occupied by Mr. Jacob Patch-
en. Mr. Cliarles Doughty, who has been dead
about 25 years, and was about 85 years of age
when he died, said that this was an old house when
he was a boy. Mrs. Rapalye, the mother of John
Rapalye, whose property in Brooklyn was confis-
cated during the Revolutionary war, says tliat this
house was built by a family of the Remsens who
came from Holland.

SOIL AND CLIMATE.

The soil of this town ajipears to be mostly allu-
vial, though some few primitive rocks are to be met
with. Several years since, in digging a well on
some of the highest ground in Brooklyn, a hem-
lock board was found at the depth of 30 feet, and
again at the depth of 73 feet, oyster and clam shells
were met with, which crumbled on being exposed
to the air.

The shores of Brooklyn, where they are not de-
fended by wharves, are undergoing continual and
rapid changes, in consequence of the velocity of the
current in the East River. The tide rises here
about 5 feet.

There is very little doubt, but that Governor's
Island was formerly connected with Red Hook point
in this town. It is an established fact, that pre-
vious to the Revolutionary contest, cattle were
driven from Red Hook to Governor's Island,
which places at that time were only s^eparated by a
VQvy narrow channel, which is called Buttermilk
channel, and is now wide and deep enough to ^6-

mit of the largest size of merchant vessels passing
through.

The climate is very changeable, but cannot be
called unhealthy. People in this town live to as
great age, as in almost any other part of the United
States: as instances of which, Api'il, 1823, Mr.
Tiebout died in this town, aged 100 years and 10
months. The same year, Mr. Schoonmaker died,
aged 84 years ; and in 1824, Mary Peterson, a
colored woman died, aged 103 yt^ars. It is not an
uncommon thing for the inhabitants to live beyond
the " three score years and ten."

This town has at diiferent periods been visited by
the yellow fever. Between Jnly 10th and Septem-
ber 10th, 1809, 28 persons died of that disease. —
During the prevalence of the yellow fever in the
city of New-York, in the sunmier of 1822, seven per-
sons died of that disf ase in Brooklyn. In the sum-
mer of 1823, the yellow fe\er made its appearance
in the village of Brooklyn, and nine persons fell
victims to that dreadful pestilence, in the space of
one month, durincT which lime its ravai2:es continued.
Every year that this disease made its appearance
amongst us, it could be distinctly traced to sonic for-
eign cause ; as, in 1809, it was brought in the ship
Concordia, ( aptain Coftin, on board of which vessel
the first case and death happened. In 1822, it was
introduced from the cit v of New- York — and in 1 823,
it was traced to two or three vessels which had ar-
rived a short time previous from snutliern latitudes.
Indeed the high and airy situation of Brooklyn al-
mo>t precludes the idea of its being engendered
among us.

ANCIFNT GRANTS AND PATENTS.

In the year 1638, William Kieft, Director Gen-
eral and Counsellor for their high mightinesses the

States General, and his highness the Prince of
Orange, granted to Abraham Rycken, a tract of
land in the present town of Brooklyn.

September 11, 1642, William Kieft Director Gen-
eral, he. patented to Jan Manje, a piece or parcel
of land containing 20 morgan, or 40 acres, in the
town of Brooklyn. A copy of which patent is here-
to annexed as a specimen of those ancient instru-
ments :

" By William Kieft, Director General and Coun-
sellor, about the high and mighty Lords, the States
General of the United Low Country, and his high-
ness of Orange, and the Lords Commanders of the
priviledged West India Company, residing in the
New-Netherland, do ratify and declare by these
presents, that we upon the date hereinafter written,
did give and grant to Jan Manje, a piece of land,
greatly twenty morgan stretching about south-east
one hundred and ninety rods inward the woods to-
wards to Sassians maise land — long is the limits of
the said maise land fifty rod, and then again to the
water side, two hundred and twenty rod, about
north north-west, well so northerly and along the
strand or water side, seventy rod. Which above-
said land is lying upon Long-Island, between An-
dries Hudde and C'laes Janse Ruyter.— With express
conditions, he. Dated at Fort Amsterdam, in the
New-Netherland, the 11th day of September, 1642.

WILLIAM KIEFT.

By order of the Lord the Director General, and
Counsellor of New-Netherland.

Cornelius Vantienhoven, Sec'ry.

January 29, 1652, Pieter Linde, having married
the widow of Jan Manje, transported or sold the

above tract of land to Barent Jansc. August 23,
1674, before Nicasius de Sille, admitted Secretary
of the Dutch towns appeared Jan Barentse, (') and
Auke Janse, with Simon Hansen as Guardian of the
other children of Barent Janse, deceased, *' procur-
ed by his wife Styntie Pieterse (ieceased, all living
within the town of JVIidwout Fflackbush,'- and de-
clared tiiat they transported the above tract of land
to Dirck Janse Woertman.

September 12, 1045, William Kieft, Director
General, &:c. patented to Andries Hudden, *'a piece
of land lying upon Long-island against over the
fort, lying to the south-west to Jnn Manje," con-
taining 37 morgan. December 10, 165j, " Pieter
Cornelissen by virtue of a procuraiie of Andries
Hudden," for the consideration of 400 guilders,
transported to Lodewyck Jongh the above tract.
July 19, 1070, Lodewyck Jongh transported to
Jeronimus de Uapalje, eight morgan of the above
tract. February 12, 1679, Harmatie Jansen relict
of Lodewyck Jongh, transported to Dirck Janse
Woertman, 12 morgan of the above tract. May .J,
1685, " Dirck Janse Woertman, transported to the
heirs of Jooris Dirckse, a small stroke otVland lying
at the east side off the highway being all theclaime
they can pretende by virtue oil tlie abovesaid Pat-
tent."

September 30, 1645, William Kieft, Director
General, kc. patented to Claes Janse, from i\aer-
der, a piece of land, containing 20 morgan, Ijing
south-east, a little casterlv. iu^t over against the
Fort, upon Long-Island. March 11, 1060, the
above tract of land was transported by Clacs Janse

1. The custom of changing the names of sons, or r.^th«?r .-;ubsutuun^
the siir nanus for the christian naibo, prevuiied at ihis perifd \ js in the
above instance, the fathers name was Barent Janse, ami the son was
called Jan Barentse

Ruyter, to Machiell Tadens, who transported the
same to Machiell Hainielle.

The three patents to Manje, Hudde, and Janse.
from Naerder, were located near the Ferry in this
town, and all subsequently were purchased by
Derick Woortman, alias Dirck Janse Woertman,
and were by him sold to Joras Remsen, on the 10th
day of October, 1706, for the sum of £612 10s.
current money of New-York.

There is great reason to believe that there was a
General Patent of this town under the Dutch Go-
vernment, which patent is now lost. What strength-
ens this idea is, that the first by Governor Nicolls
under the English is confirmatory of some former
grant.

August 10th, 1695. The Patentees and free-
holders of this town sold unto Stephanus Van Cort-
landt, the neck of land called Red Hook, contain-
ing by estimation 50 acres ; which they state in
their deed " was formerly given and granted to the
Kuvn of Broocklyn, in the year 1657, by Governor
Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor then at that time,
and since confirmed by the English Governors,
Governor Nicolls, and Governor Duiigan." Which
is very strong proof of there having been a general
Dutch Patent for this town.

October 18, 1667. Richard Nicolls, the first En-
glisii (Governor of New-York, granted to the inhab-
itants of Brooklyn, the following full and ample
patent, confirming them in their rights and privi-
leges.

L. S. " Richard Nicolls, Esq. Governor Gene-
ral under his Hoyal Highness James Dukeof Yorke
and Albany, &tc. of all his Terretorvs in Amer-
ica. To all to whom these presents shall come,
sendcth Greeting. — Whereas there is a certain town

within this government, situate, lying and being m
the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island,
commonly called and known by the name of
Breuckelen, which said town, is in the tenure or
occupation of several freeholders and inhabitants
who having heretofore been seated there by authori-
ty, have been at very considerable charge, in man-
uring and planting a considerable part of the lands
belonging thereunto and settled a competent num-
ber of families thereupon. Now for a confirmation
inito the said freeholders and inhabitants in their
possessions and enjoyment of the premises, Know
ye. That by virtue of the commission and authority
unto me given by his Royal Highness, I have giv-
en, ratified, confirmed and granted, and by these
presents, do give, ratify, confirm and grant, unto
Jan Evert?. Jan Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus
Veerbeeck, Michael Eneyl, Thomas Lamberts,
Tuenis Guvsbert Bocart and Joris Jacobson, as
patentees, for and on the behalf of themselves and
iheir associates, the freeholders and inhabitants of
the said town their heirs successors and assigns, all
that tract together with the several parcels of land
which already have or hereafter shall be purchased
or procured for and on behalf of the said town,
whether from the native Indian proprietors, or
others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set
forth and exprest, viz. that is to say, the town is
bounded westward on the farther side of the land
of Mr. Paulus Veerbeck, from whence stretching
south east, they go over the hills, and so east-
ward along the said hills to a south-east point
which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp, from
which said lotts the run north-west to the River pj

2. Accordiii^ to tlie New- York doctrine, tills houirlary of the town
cr\n only b<' corrfct when the tide is flood, for when the water is low,
the toNvii is bouniled hy propprly belonging to the Corporation of the
City of N'ew-Vork. and not by the River.

and extend to the farm, on the t'other side of the
hill heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen over
against the Kicke or Looke-out, including within
the said bounds and liinitts all the lotts and planta-
tions, lying and being at the Gowanis, Bedford,
VVallaboucht and the ferry. — All which said par-
cels and tracks of land and premises within the
bouiidb and limitts aforementioned, described, and
all or any plantation or plantations thereupon, from
henceforth are to bee apperiaine and belong to the
said town of Breucklen, Together with all havens,
harbours, creeks, quarryes, woodland, meadow-
ground, reed-land or valley of all sorts, pastures,
marshes, runs, rivers, lakes, hunting, fishing, hawk-
ing, and fowling, and all other profiits, commodi-
ties, emoluments, and hereditaments, to the said
lands and premises within the bounds and limits all
forth belonging, or in any wise appertaining, — and
withall to have freedome of commonage for range
and feed of cattle and horse into the woods as well
without as within these bounds and limitts with the
rest of their neighbours (^) — as also one-third part
of a certain neck of meadow ground or valley call-
ed Sellers neck, lying and being within the limits
of the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town
of Jamaica from the Indians, and sold by them unto
the inhabitants of Breucklen aforesaid, as it has
been lately laid out and divided by their mutual
consent and my order, whereunto and from which
they are likewise to have free egress and regress
as their occasions may require.(^) To have and

(3) This town enjoyed this privilege in common with the other
towns on Long-Island, and their cattle which ran at large were marked
with the letter N.

(4) At th<^ annual town meeting, April, 1823, a committee was ap-
pointed to inquire if this town at present, had any, and if any, what right
to the above-mentioned tract of meadow ground called Sellers neck •
what progress this committee made in tlieir investigation, the compiler
is uninformed. This meadow called Seller's neck, the Compiler thinks

to hold all and singular the said tract and parcell
of land, meadow ground or valley, commonage,
hereditaments and premises, with their, and every
of their appurtenances, and of every part and par-
cell thereof to the said patentees and their associates,
their heirs, successors and assigns, to the proper
use and behoof of the said patentees and their as-
sociates, their heirs, successors and assigns iorever.
Aloreover, 1 do hereby give, ratify, conlirm and
grant unto the said Patentees and their associates,
their heirs, successors and assigns, all the rights and
privileges belonging to a town within this go-
vernment, and that the place of their present habit-
ation shall continue and retain the name ofBreuck-
elen, by which name and stile it shall be distinguish-
ed and known in all bargains and sales made by
them the said Patentees and their associates, their
heirs, successors and assigns, rendering and paying
such duties and acknowledgments as now are, or
hereafter shall be constituted and established b\ the
laws of this G:overnment under the obedience of his
Royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given
under mv hand and seal at Fort James, in New-
York, on the Island of Manhattat, this IBtli day of
October, in the nineteenth year of the rei^^n of our
Sovereign Lord, Charles the second, by the grace
of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
King, Defender of the faith, &ic. Annoque Domini,
1667.

RICHARD KICOLLS.

Recorded by order of the Governor, the day and
year above written.

MATTHIAS NICOLLS, SecVy.

was apportioned among tlie patentees and freeholders, and what leads
him to this conclusion is, that on the iOth of May, l(>fl3, John Damon,
who was one of the patentees of this town, 'old to William Huddlestone
all his interest in the said meadow.

1670. The inhabitants of this town desirous of
enlarging the bounds of their common lands, and
extinguishing the Indian claim to the same, applied
to Governor Lovelace, and obtained from him the
following permission to purchase of the Indians.

" L. S. Whereas the inhabitants of Breucklyn,
in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island,
who were seated there in a township by the author-
ity then in being, and having bin at considerable
charges in clearing llencing and manuring their
land, as well as building fl'or their conveniency,
have requested niy lycense for their further security
to make purchase of the said land of some Indians
who lay claim and interest therein ; These are to
certify all whom it may concerne, that I have and
doe hereby give the said inhabitants lycense to pur-
chase their land according to their request, the said
Indians concerned appearing before me as in the
law is required, and making their acknowledg-
ments to be fully satisfyed and payed for the same.
Given under my hand and seal at fibrt James, in
New-Yorke, this flirst day of May, in the 22nd
vcare of his JMajesivies reie:ne, AnnoqueDom. 1670.

*^FFRANCIS LOVELACE."

Tl.e purchase was accordingly made and the fol-
lowing is a copy of the deed from the Indians for
the same.

'' To all people to whom this present writing shall
come, Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makaquiquos, and
Shamese, late of Staten-Island send Greeting ;
Whereas, they the said Peter, Elmohar, Job, Maka-
quiquos, and Shamese, afore-mentioned, doe lay
claime to the land now in the tenure and occupa-
tion of some of the inhabitants of Breucklyn, as well
as other lands there adjascent as the true Indian

owners and proprietors thereof, Know Yee, that for
and in consideration of a certaine sum of wampum
and diverse other goods, the which in the Schedule
annext are exprest unto the said Sachems in hand
pajd by Monsieur Machiell Hainelle, Thomas Lam-
bertse, John Lewis, and Peter Darmanlier, on the
behaJf of themselves and the inhabitants ofBreuck-
\yn, the receipt whereof they doe hereby acknow-
ledge, and themselves to be fully satisfyed and
payed therefore ; have given, granted, bargained
and sold, and by these presents doe fully, freely
and absolutely give, grant, bargain and sell, unto
the said Monsieur Machiell Hainelle, Thomas Lam-
bertse, John Lewis and Peter Darmantier, fTor and
on behalf of themselves, and the inhabitants afore-
said, their heyrs and successors ; all that parcell of
land and tract of land, in and about Bedford, with-
in the jurisdiction of Brucklyn, beginning ffrom
Hendrick Van Aarnhems land by a swamp of water
and stretching to the hills, then going along the
hills to the port or entrance thereof,(^) and soe to
Rockaway ffoot path as their purchase is more par-
ticularly sett fforth ; To have and to hold all the
said parcell and tract of land and premises within
the limits before described unto the said Monsieur
Machiell Hainella, Thomas Lambertse, John Lew-
is, and Peter Darmantier, ffbr and on the behalf of
the inhabitants aforesaid, their heyres, and success-
ors, to the proper use and behooff of the said in-
habitants, their heyers and successors forever ; In
witness whereof the partyes to these presents have
hereunto sett their hands and scales, this 14th day
of May, in the 22nd yeare of his Majestyes reigne,
Annoque Dom. 1G70.

(5) This " port or rntrancr," as it is called, is situate in the valley
on the Flatbiish Turnpike, near the "Brush" or "Valley Tavern/'
and a short distance beyond tlie [i mile post from Brooklyn ferry.— -A
freestone monument has been placed here, to designate the patent line
between Brooklyn and Flatbush,

Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Mathias
Nicolls, R. Lough, Samuel § Davies, John Gar-
land, his marke

The mark of p Peter, (l. s.

The mark of o Elmohar, (l. s.

The mark of ^ Job, (l. s.

The mark of ^ Makaquiquos(L.s.

The mark ot 7 Shamese, (l. s.

" This Deed was acknowledged by the within
written Sachems, before the Governor in the pre-
sence of us, the day and year within written.

MATHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary.

The mark of^ SAMUEL DAVIES.
*' Recorded by order of the Governor,

xMATHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary.

The Inventory^ or Schedule referred to in the Deed.

" Tlie payment agreed upon ffor tlie purchase of
the land in and about Bedford, within the jurisdic-
tion of Breucklyn, conveyed this day by the Indian
Sachems, proprietors is, viz.

100 Guilders Seawant,
Haifa tun of strong Beer,

2 half tuns of good Beer,

3 Guns, long barrells, with each a pound of pow-
der, and lead proportionable — 2 bars to a gun,

4 match coates."

May 13, 1686. Governor Dongan granted to
the inhabitants of Brooklyn the following confir-
matory patent :

L. S. " Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant Gover-
nor, and Vice Admiral of New-York, and its de-

pendencies under his Majesty James the Second, by
the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, kc. —
Supreme lord and proprietor of the Colony and
province of New-York and its dependencies in
America, he. To all to whom this shall come send-
eth greeting, whereas the Honorable Richard Nic-
olls, Esq. formerly Governor of this province, did
by liis certain writing or patent under his hand and
seal, bearing date tlie eighteenth day of October,
Annoque Domini, one thousand siK hundred and
sixty-seven, ratifie, confirm and grant unto Jan
Everts, Jan Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus
Verbeeck, IVlicliael Enyle, Thomas Lamberts, Tu-
nis Gisberts Bogart, and Joris Jacobsen, as paten-
tees for and on behalf of themselves and their as-
sociates, the freeholders and inhabitants of the town
of Breucklen, their heirs, successors, and assigns
forever, a certain tract of land, toge'her witl) the
several parcels of land which then were or thereaf-
ter should be purchased or procured for and on be-
half of the said town, whether from the native Indi-
an proprietors, or others within the bounds and
limitts therein sett forth and expressed, that is to
say, the said town is bounded westward on the fur-
ther side of the land of Mr. Paulus Verbeeck, from
whence stretching sontli-east they go over the hills,
and so eastward along by the said hills to a south-
east point, which takes in all the lotts behind the
swamp, from which said lotts they run north-west
to the River, and extend to the farm on the other
side of the hills heretofore belonging to Hans Han-
sen, over against Keak or Look-out, including with-
in the said bounds and limitts all the lots and plan-
tations, lying and being at the Gauwanes, Bedford,
Wallabocht and the ferry, all which said parcells
and tract of land and premises within the bounds

and limitts aforementioned described, and all or
any plantation or plantations thereupon, from
henceforth are to be, appertain and belong to the
said town of Breucklyn, Together with all harbor,
havens, creeks, quarries, woodland, meadow ground,
reed land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes,
waters, rivers, lakes, fishing, hawking, Hunting,
fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emolu-
ments and hereditaments to the said lands and pre-
mises within the bounds and limitts set forth, be-
longing, or in any wise appertaining, and with all
to have freedom of commonage for range and feed
of cattle and horses, into the woods with the rest of
their neighbours, as also one third part of a certain
neck of meadow ground or valley, called Seller's
neck, lying and bewig within the town of Jamaica,
purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the
Indians, and sold by them unto the inhabitants of
Breucklen aforesaid, as it was laid out aforesaid,
and divided by their mutual consent and order of
the Governor. To have and to hold unto them the
said patentees and their associates, their heirs, suc-
cessors and assigns forever, as by the said patent
reference being thereunto had, doth, fully and at
large appear. And further, in and by the said pat-
ent, the said Governor, Richard iXicolls, tlsq. did
erect the said tract of land into a township by the
name of Breucklen aforesaid, by that name and
style to be distinguished and known in all bargains,
sales, deeds, records aud writings whatsoever ; and
whereas the present inhabitants and freeholders of
the town of Breucklen aforesaid, have made their
application to me for a confirmation of the aforesaid
tract of land and premises in their quiet and peace-
able possession and enjoyment of the aforesaid land
and premises. Now Know Ye, That I, the said
Thomas Dongan. by virtue of the commission and

authority derived unto me, and power in me resid-
ing, have granted, ratified and confirmed, and by
these presents do grant, ratifie and confirm, unto
Teunis Gysberts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen,
Jacobus Vander Water, Jan Dame, Joris Jacobs,
Jeronlmus Rapalle, Daniel Rapalle, Jan Jansen,
Adrian Bennet, and Michael Hanse, for and on the
behalf of themselves and the rest of the present free-
holders and inhabitants of the said town of Breuck-
len, their heirs and assigns forever, all and singu-
lar the afore-recited tract and parcels of land set
forth, limited and bounded as aforesaid ; together
with all and singular, the houses, messuages, tene-
ments, fencings, buildings, gardens, orchards, trees,
woods, underwoods, pastures, feedings, common of
pasture, meadows, marshes, lakes, ponds, creeks,
harbors, rivers, rivulets, brooks, streams, highways
and easements whatsoever, belonging or in any wise
appertaining to any of the afore-recited traci or par-
cells of land and divisions, allotments, settlements
made and appropriated before the day and date
hereof To Have and To Hold, all and singular,
the said tract or parcels of land and premises, with
their, and every of their appurtenances unto the
said Tunis Gysberts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jan-
sen, Jacobus Vander Water, Joris Jacobs, Jeroni-
mus Rappalle, Daniel Rappalle, Jan Jansen, Adri-
an Bennet and Michael Hanse, for and on behalf of
themselves and the present freeholders and inhabit-
ants of the town of Breucklen, their and every of
their heirs and assigns forever, as tenants in com-
mon without any let, hindrance, molestation, right
of survivorship or otherwise, to be holden in free
and common socage according to the tenure of East
Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's
kingdom of England. Yielding, rendering and
paying therefor yearly, and every year, on the five

and twentyeth day of March, forever, in lieu of all
services and demands whatsoever, as a quit rent to
his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his heirs and suc-
cessors, at the city of New-York, twenty bushels of
good merchantable wheat. In testimony whereof,
I have caused these presents to be entered and re-
corded in the Secretary's office, and the seal of the
Province to be hereunto affixed this thirteenth day
of May, Anno. Domini, one thousand six hundred
and eighty-six, and in the second year of his Ma-
jesiv's reign.

THOMAS DONGAN."

Quit rents to the following amounts and at the
following periods have been paid on the Brooklyn
patents.

June 8, 1713. Paid to Benjamin Van de Water,
Treasurer, the sum of £96 7s Id. for upwards of
16 years quit rent.

April 6, 1775. Charles Debevoice, Collector of
the town of Brooklyn, paid to the Receiver Gener-
al of the Colony of New-York, 20 bushels of wheat,
for one year's quit rent, due from said town.

November 9, 1786. Fernandus Suydam, and
Charles C. Doughty, two of the Trustees of the
town of Brooklyn, paid to the Treasurer of the
State of New-York, the sum of £105 10s. in full
for arrears of quit rent due from the said town.

Town Rights and Ferries.

The difference between this town and the city of
New-York relative to the water rights of the for-
mer, has deservedly excited the attention and inter-
est of our inhabitants, as involving property to a
great amount,and unjustly witholdingfrom our town
a revenue which would enable it to improve with
almost unparalleled rapidity. In order that each

person so interested may form a correct opinion of
the subject matter in dispute, the Compiler has
thought proper, under this head, to lay before them
the foundations of the claims on both sides of the
question.

October 18, 1667. In the reign of Charles 2d.
I^ichard Nicolls, Esq. Governor General of the
Province of New-York, under his Royal Highness
James, the Duke of York, &c. afterwards James 2d.
of England, granted to the inhabitants of this town
a confirmatory patent, acknowledging that they
were rightfully, legally and by authority in posses-
sion of the property and privileges they then enjoy-
ed. The patent after naming the patentees, and
describing the bounds of the town, and binding by
the River and not by high water mark, proceeds to
say, " Together with all havens, harbors, creeks,
marshes, waters, rivers, lakes, fisheries." ** More-
over, I do hereby give, ratify and confirm unto the
said patentees and their associates, their heirs, suc-
cessors and assigns, all the rights said privileges be-
longing to a town within this government" Un-
der this patent the town of Brooklyn justly claims
the land between high and low water mark on their
shore, in opposition to the claims of the Corpora-
tion of the city of New-York; and an equal right
with them to erect ferries between the town of
Brooklyn and the city of New- York.

It does not appear that there was any adverse
claim on the part of New- York, until the 27th of
April, 1686, nineteen years after the date of the
Brooklyn patent, when the Corporation of New-
York obtained a charter from Governor Dongan,
by which the ferries were granted to them, but not
a word mentioned about the land between high and
low water mark on the Brookl^'U side. From the
reading of this charter it appears as if the Cover-

nor was doubtful as to his right even to grant the
ferry, for it contains an express saving of all the
rights of all other persons, bodies politic and cor-
porate, their heirs, successors and assigns, in as
ample a manner, as if that charter had not been
made.

May 13, 1686, The freeholders and inhabitants
of Brooklyn somewhat apprehensive of encroach-
ments by New- York, obtained from Governor Don-
gan, a patent under the seal of the Colony, fully
confirming that granted them by Governor NicoUs.

May 6, 1691. An act was passed by the Gover-
nor, Council and General Assembly of the Colony
of New-York, " for settling, quieting and confirm-
ing unto the cities, towns, manors, and freeholders
within this Province, their several grants, patents
and rights respectively." By this act the freehold-
ers and inhabitants of the town of Brooklyn were
confirmed in the rights they possessed and enjoyed
under their two several patents.

October 12, 1694. The Corporation of New-
York, not thinking their foothold on the Brooklyn
side sufiicienily secure, purchased of one William
Morris, for no specific consideration, a piece of land
in Brooklyn near the ferry. This deed is the
foundation of the Corporation claim to their land
in the village of Brooklyn. A copy of which will
be found in the appendix marked with the letter A.
Bent on unjustly wresting from the town of
Brooklyn their water right, the Corporation on the
19th of April, 1708, obtained from Governor Corn-
bury, a man infamous for his vices, and disregard
of justice, another charter, in which they came out
more openly than before, and claimed the vacant
land to high water mark, on Nassau Island, reserv-
ing to the inhabitants of Brooklyn the right of trans-
porting themselves in their own boats ferriage free,

to and from New-York. (^j By this charter, no
matter how ample soever they might have consider-
ed it at the time, they obtained nothing but vacant
land to high water mark ; that is the land which
was not already granted, and in the possession of
some other person or persons, which was not the
fact as to the land on the Brooklyn side, it being
vested in the patentees, their heirs, successors and
assigns forever ; so that the only power or authority
remaining in the Governor, was to grant the Cor-
poration of New- York, the privilege of buying the
water rights of the inhabitants of Brooklyn. But
that would not answer their purpose, for those rights
could be bought cheaper of Governor Cornbury,
than they could of this town.

This proceeding on the part of New-York stim-
ulated the inliabitants of Brooklyn to obtain from
the Colonial Legislature in 1721, an act confirming
their patent rights.

To obviate the effects of this law, and strengthen
the charter of Cornbury, which from the circum-
stances under which it was obtained, the Corpora-
tion feared was invalid, on the 15th of January,
1730, they procured from Governor John Montgo-
merie, a new charter confirming their pretended
right to the land to high water mark on our shore. ['^)

(6) Although the bounds of this grant commences about 250 yards in
the town of Bushwick, the Corporation of New-York have made no
claim to land beyond the Wallabouglit.

(7) There was some peculiar circumstances attending the consumma-
tion of this charter, which the Compiler thinks ought to he known. A
short time previous to obtaining the charter, the Common Council of
the City of New- York resolved that the sum of L1400 was necessary for
the procuring of tliat instrument ; LlOOO of wiiich sum they determined
to raise immediately by a loan on iotererest for one year ; wliich they
accordingly did, and gave a mortgage for that amount to James De Lan-
cey, Esq dated January 14, 1730. Directly after the execution of this
mortgage they resolved to address the Governor, " for the great favour
and goodnes.9 shewn to this Corporation in granting their petition, in
ordering and directing his Majesty's letters patent for a new charter and
'^oofirroation to this Corporation,'' and prcbably iuformiug him that they

The grants from the Corporation of New- York,
under their two charters for the water lots on the
Brooklyn side, are very artfully and ingeniously
drawn. By those grants are only conveyed " all
ihe estate, right, title, interest, property, claim, and
demand whatsoever, in law and equity" of them the
said Corporation ; and their covenant for quiet pos-
session only extends to them and their successors,
and not against any other persons lawfully claiming
the premises. These grants, in order to save the
Corporation harmless against the claims of Brook-
lyn, also contained a covenant to the following ef-
fect : " It is hereby covenanted, granted and agreed
upon by and between the parties to these presents
(that is, the Corporation of New-York and the per-
son to whom they give the grant,) and the true
intent and meaning hereof also is, and it is hereby
declared, that this present grant, or any words, or
any thing in the same expressed, or contained shall
not be adjudged, deemed, construed or taken to be a
covenant or covenants on the part and behalf of the
said parties of the first part, (that is, the Corpora-
tion of New- York) or their successors for any pur-
pose or purposes whatsoever, but only to pass the
estate, right, title, and interest, they have or may
lawfully claim by virtue of their several charters, of
in and to the said premises." Which covenant
evidently shews a want of confidence in the validity
of their title on the part of the Corporation.

October 14, 1732. An act was passed by the Gen-
eral Assembly of this Colony, '' confirming unto

had obtaioed the money. The consequence was, that on the next day,
January 15, 1730, tlie charter was completed ; and on paying the LlOOO
was delivered to them on the Ilth day of February, 1730, almost a
month after its date. By which it appears that the Corporation of New-
York still continued purchasing the right of the town of Brooklyn from
the Colonial Governors. See List of Corporation Charters asd grant*.
1747.

the City of New-York its rights and privileges."
By this act no addition was made to their former
pretended rights.

November 14, 1753. The freeholders and inhab-
itants of this lown appointed Jacobus Lefferts, Pe-
ter Vandervoort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen, and
Nicholas Vechte, Trustees, " to defend our patent
where in any manner our liberties, privileges and
rights in our patent specified is encroached, lessen-
ed or taken away by the commonalty of the city
of New-York." A copy of the proceeding of the
town meeting at which the above trustees were elect-
ed will be found in the appendix marked B.

Not satisfied with the encroachments they had
made, the Corporation began to question the right
of the inhabitants of Brooklyn to cross to and from
New-York ferriage free in their own boats, and to
carry over the inhabitants in those boats ; — the re-
sult was, that in July, 1745, a suit was commenced
by one of the inhabitants of Brooklyn, named Hen-
drick Remsen, against the Corporation of New-
York, which was tried before a jury in Westchester
county. A special verdict was found setting forth
all its patents and charters, and among other things,
that the road from which the said Hendrick Rem-
sen ferried the inhabitants of Brooklyn to and from
New- York, " then and long before was laid out for
a public highway leading down to low water mark
on the East River between the places aforesaid call-
ed the Wallaboucht and the Red Hook on Nassau
Island, and the jurors aforesaid upon their oath
aforesaid, do further say, that the River called the
East River, over which the said Hendrick did carry
the persons and goods aforesaid, from the said lands
between the Wallabocht and the Red Hook, is a
large and public and navigable river used by his
Majesty's ships and other ships and smaller vessels

employed in trade and commerce, and hath always
been so used from the first settlement of this Colo-
ly." On argument judgment was rendered by the
Supreme Court of this Colony in the month of Oc-
tober, 1775, in favour of Hendrick Remsen, that
he recover his damages against the Mayor, Alder-
men and Commonalty of the city of New-York, and
the sum of one hundred and eighteen pounds, four-
teen shillings and ten pence halfpenny for his costs
and charges. An appeal to the King and Council
from this decision, was brought by the Corporation,
which was not determined in consequence of the
Revolutionary war. There is a tradition in this
town that the Corporation of New-York were so
apprehensive of this claim on the part of the town
of Brooklyn, that in order to disengage Hendrick
Remsen from the interest of the town, they gave
him a house and lot of land near Coenties Slip, iu
the city of New-York. How far this tradition is
correct, the Compiler is unable to say. — It appears
however, that he about that time became in posses-
sion of such property, and the same remained in his
family within the memory of some of our inhabit-
ants.

Our two Patents are confirmed by the Constitu-
tion of this State, which confirms all grants of land
within the State, made by the authority of the King
of Great Britain or his predecessors, prior to the
14th of August, 1775.

The Compiler thinking it would not be uninter-
esting to his fellow citizens to see a statement of the
amount received by the Corporation of New-York
for quit rent on the water lots claimed by them, has
given the following short statement.

The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the
City of New-York have received, from August SSd,
1813, to Dec. 31, 1824.

For Water lot rents, 1(17,635 24

Cominutatioii for water lot rents, 17,275 41

$34,910 65

The Corporation of New- York during the pre-
sent year 1824, have received for water lot rents
the sum of - - - - $8,862 97

Within a short time the jurisdiction of the village
of Brooklyn has been extended beyond low water
mark, leaving the pretended right of soil still in the
Corporation of New-York.(8) August term, 1821,
in the case of Udall vs. the Trustees of Brooklyn,
the Supreme Court of this State decided that Kings
County, of which the village of Brooklyn is part,
includes all the wharves, docks, and other artificial
erections in the East River, opposite to the City of
New-York, though west of the natural low water
mark on the Nassau or Long-Island shore ; and the
jurisdiction of the village extends to the actual line
of low water, whether formed by natural or artifi-
cial means. Same term, in the case of Stryker vs.
the Mayor, &c. of the City of New-York, the Su-
preme Court decided that the city and county of
New-York includes the whole of the Rivers and
harbour adjacent to actual low water mark, on the
opposite shores, as the same may be formed, from
time to time, by docks, wharves and other perma-
nent erections ; and although thejurisdiction of the
city does not extend so as to include such wharves,
or artificial erections, yet it extends over the ships
and vessels floating on the water, though they be
fastened to such wharves or docks.

(8) Thejurisdiction of New-Vork by their first charter in 1686, was
limited to low water mArk around Manhattan Island , but was extended
to low water mark on the Brooklyn side by Governor Montgouiery*s
charter in 1730.

April 9, 1824. The Legislature of the State of
New-York in the act to amend the act entitled " an
Act to incorporate and vest certain powers in the
freeholders and inhabitants of the village of Brook-
lyn in the County of Kings," granted this town
concurrent jurisdiction with the City of New-York
in the service of process, in actions civil and cri-
minal, on board of vessels attached to our wharves ;
and in the act for the establishment of a Board of
Health in the village of Brooklyn, authority is giv-
en to the said Board to remove all infected vessels
from the wharves within the said village.

The ferries have been unavoidably, in some de-
gree, taken into consideration when speaking of
our town rights. The compiler will therefore con-
fine himself to such historical facts, and laws, and
such proceedings, passed and had by the Colonial
and State legislatures as may relate particularly to
them.

During the early years of this Colony ,the old ferry
was from near the foot of Joralemon-street, to the
Breede Graft, now Broad-street, in the City of New-
York At that period a creek ran through the mid-
dle of Broad-street, up which the boats ascended to
a ferry-house which is still standing. At this time
it is difficult to ascertain the exact period when the
old ferry was established at its present situation ou
the Brooklyn side. In 1697. John Aeresen was
ferry master.

It appears from the following order, that the
Court of Sessions of Kings County, exercised some
authority over the ferry between Brooklyn and
New-York. October 7, 1690. " Whereas much in-
convenience does arise by several negroes coming
on this Island from New-York and other places,
and from this Island to New-York. It is ordered.

that the ferrymen shall not bring or set over any
negroes or slaves upon the Sabbath day, without a
ticket from their masters."

Acts have been passed by the Colonial and State
legislatures for the purpose of regulating the ferries
between this town and the City of New-York, in the
following chronological order :

November 2d, 1717, an act was passed, which
was revived in the year 1726, and again in 1727.
October 14, 1732. Another act was passed for the
same purpose. By this act it was provided, " That
the ferryman for the time being, shall not impose,
exact, demand, or receive any rates or ferriage for
any goods or things whatsoever, transported by any
of the inhabitants living alongst the River, at or
near the Ferry on Nassau-Island, in their own boats
or canoes." provided that the same be their own
goods or commodities. This act continued in force
until the 28th of February, 1789, when another act
was passed regulating the ferriage, and containing
a similar proviso. April 9,1813. The last men-
tioned law was re-enacted, with the same provision.

The winter previous to the prosecution of the suit
between Hendrick Remsen, and the Corporatiun of
the City of New-York, the inhabitants of Brooklyn
made an attempt to obtain from the Colonial legis-
lature, a further confirmation of some of their rights,
particularly relating to the ferry ; on which appli-
cation the following proceedings were had.

January 30, 1745 — 6. In General Assembly, a
petition of the Trustees of the town of Brookland,
in Kings County, in behalf of themselves, and the
freeholders and inhabitants of the said township,
was presented to the House and read, setting forth.
That a great number of the inhabitants of the said
township, living near the ferry from Nassau-Island
to New-York, and having their chief dependence

of supporting their families by trading to the New-
York markets, are by one act of the General As-
sembly, entitled, an act to regulate the ferry between
the City of New-York and the Island of Nassau,
and to establish the ferriage thereof, passed in the
sixth year of his Majesty's reign, debarred from
transporting their goods in their own vessels, to the
said markets, which exposes them to very great
hardships, difficulties and expences, and therefore
humbly praying that they may have leave to bring
in a bill to relieve them from the aforesaid hard-
ships. Upon a motion of Major Van Home, (of
New-York) ordered, that the Clerk of this house
serve the Corporation of the City of New- York,
with a copy of the said petition forthwith.

In General Assembly, April 12, 1746, Mr. Abra-
ham Loit, according to leave, presented to the
house, a bill entitled, " an act to repeal an act there-
in mentioned, so far as it relates to the freeholders
and inhabitants of the township of Brooklyn, in
Kings County, within this colony;" which was
read the first time, and ordered a second reading. —
Ordered, that the Corporation of the City of New-
York, be served with a copy of the said bill.

April 18, 1746. In General Assembly. The
bill entitled, an act to repeal an act therein men-
tioned, so far as it relates to the freeholders and in-
habitants of the township of Brooklyn, in Kings
County, within this colony, being offered to be read
a second lime, Capt. Richards (of New-York) mov-
ed, that the second reading of the said bill might
be deferred until the next meeting of the House, af-
ter the first da.y of June next; which was agreed to
by the House and ordered accordingly.

June 20, 1746. In General Assembly. A peti-
tion of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, of
the City of New-York, was presented to the House

and read, setting forth, That the Corporation hav-
ing been served with a copy of a bill now before
this House, entitled, an act to repeal an act therein
mentioned, so far as it relates to the freeholders and
inhabitants of the township of Brooklyn, in Kings
County, within this colony ; do conceive that the
passing the said Bill into a law, may affect their
ancient rights and freehold, and therefore humbly
praying that they may be heard by their Counsel
against the said bill, at the bar of this House, on
Friday next, ordered, that the Trustees of the town-
ship of Brooklyn, be heard by their counsel m sup-
port of the said Bill, at the bar of this house, on
Friday next, and that Mr. William Smith appear
for them. Ordered, that the Clerk of this house
serve the parties with a copy of these orders forth-
with.

June 27, 1746. In General Assembly. The
House being informed, that ihe Corporation of the
City of New-York were attending with their Coun-
sel to be heard against the Bill ; and that the Trus-
tees of the township of Brooklyn, were also attend-
ing with their Counsel to be heard in support of the
said Bill; both parties were called in, and the coun-
sel on both sides having been fully heard, for and
against the said Bill, they were directed to with-
draw ; and the Bill being read the second time, the
question was put, — whether the said Bill should be
committed, and carried in the affirmative in the

manner following: Affirmative, Messrs. Lott,

Chambers, Stillwell, Livingston, Harring, Cornell,
Abraham Loit, Lecount, Bradt, Nicoll, Harden-
bergh, and Gale 12. — Negative, Messrs. I^ichards,
Cruger, C larkson. Van Home, Philipse, Morris,
Verplank, and Thomas, 8.

July 4, 1746. In General Assembly, the engross-
ed Bill entitled, an act to repeal an act therein men-

tioned, so far as it relates to the freeholders and in-
habitants of the township of Brooklyn, in Kings
County, within this colony, was read the third time,
and upon Mr. Speaker's putting the question^ whe-
ther the Bill should pass, a motion was made by
Col. Morris in the words following, viz. — As this
Bill has been already ordered to be engrossed, by
a majority of the House, and the question that now
is put, is, whether this Bill shall pass ; 1 must beg
leave to give my reasons for opposing its passage.
The first is, it is alledged by this bill, that the peo-
ple of Brooklyn had a right, prior to the act pass-
ed in the year 1732, which was not proved, nor at-
tempted upon the hearing before this house ; but if
we pass this Bill, we allow that right to be proved,
and then it becomes our allegation, which 1 con-
ceive, inconsistent with the honor and justice of this
house, to alledge any thing in such a case, but what
has been proved. The second is, it implies that
the act in 1732, took away unjustly, a right from
the people of Brooklyn, that they were entitled to.
Thirdly, it implies, that the house have fixed the
two points before mentioned, and then it will ne-
cessarily follow, that we have considered the rights
of the Corporation, (3) as well as those of the peo-
ple of Brooklyn; that we have not, I appeal to the
house, who must allow, that no such right ever ap-
peared to us, at least as a House, and for us to de-
clare certain facts by a Bill, which has never been
proved, will be doing, what 1 conceive, we ought
not to do, if we make justice and equity the rule of
our conduct. For these reasons, I move, that the
Bill may be rejected. The question being put

(9) For what purpose was it, that the Corporation's Counsel was
heard at the bar of tlie House, if not to advance and suppurt their rights?
If it was not done at that time, the plain inference would be, that they
were aware tliey had no right.

Uicreon it was carried in the negative, in the man-
ner following, viz. For the negative, Messrs.

Chambers, Lott, Cornell, Hardenbergh, A. Lott,
Bradt, Lecount, Gale, and Harring, 9. Affirma-
tive, Messrs. Cruger, Morris, Richards, Van Home,
Clarksoa, Verplank, Philipse, and Thomas, 8.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass. Ordered, that
Colonel Harring, and Mr. Hardenbergh do carry
the Bill to the Council and desire their concurrence.
By which it appears that it was considered by the
House, as well as subsequently by the Supreme
Court, that the right of the town was sufficiently
proved, notwithstanding the assertions of Colonel
Morris.

This Bill by some means was stifled in the Coun-
cil,(* °) and never became a law.

During the Revolution the Old ferry was kept by
Messrs. Van Winkle, and Bukett ; at which period
the usual charge for crossing was six pence tor each
passenger.

August 1, 1795. The ferry from the foot of Main-
street, Brooklyn, to the foot of Catharine-street,
New-York, commonly called the New ferry, was
established by Messrs. William Furman and Theo-
dosius Hunt, lessees from the Corporation of the
City of New-York.

In consequence of the prevalence of the Yellow
fever in Brooklyn, in the month of August, 1809,
the old ferry was removed to the foot of Joralemon
street, and the boats plied from there to Whitehall,
New- York.

On the 4th day of March, 1814. The legisla-
ture of this State passed an act allowing William

(lO"! The Council was appointed by the King's mandamus and sign
manual, and all their privileges and powers were contained in tlie Go-
vernor's instructions. The tenure of their places was extremely preca-
rious. See Smith's History of Wew-Vork, p. 364.

Cutting and others his associates, to charge four
cents for each passenger crossing in th€ Steam boat
to be by them placed on the Old ferry. Previous
to this, the fare was two cents for each passenger.
May, 1814, the Steam-boat commenced plying on
the old ferry between Brooklyn and New-York.

This Ferry Company derive their interest in the
old or Fulton ferry, tVom a lease executed January
24th, 1814, by the Mayor, Aldermen and Common-
alty of the City of New-York, to Robert Fulton,
and William Cutting. The rent reserved by the
Corporation on this lease is $4000 per annum for
the first 18 years, and $4500 per annum for the re-
maining 7 years.(*^) It is a difficult matter to
speak correctly of the present income of this ferry.
At its first establishment the dividends were made
on a capital estimated at $45,000, divided into
shares of $1000 each, and were made at the rate of
5 per cent, for six months and what remained after
this 5 per cent, taken out, formed the surplus divi-
dend. From May 1814, to November 1815, the
regular dividends on one share amounted to $157
11 J, and during the same period the surplus divi-
dend amounted to $228 21 J, making a dividend of
$385 33, on one share for about 18 months equal
to about 25 percent, per annum.

At the Session of the Legislature in the winter
of 1818, the Corporation of New- York presented
a petition praying that they might have the re-
gulation of the rates of ferriage between this town
and the city of New-York — against which the Trus-
tees of the village of Brooklyn, and the inhabitants
of this town strongly remonstrated, stating that
*• they had full confidence that the Legislature of

(U) The Corporation of New-York, during the year 1824, have re-
ceived from the ferries, tlie sum of D 12,003 75, — more than 3-4ths of
which ?um is from the ferries on tiie East River.

this state would never increase the rates of ferriage,
nor permit the same to be increased, beyond what
is necessary to support the ferries in the best man-
ner; they therefore prayed that the Legislature
would not surrender to the Corporation of New-
York a right, which had been reserved by the Legis-
lature, and which the petitioners deemed of the
greatest importance to the inhabitants of Nassau-
Island."

ROADS AND PUBLIC LANDING PLACES.

This town appears to have entered early into the
contest respecting roads. There are many instan-
ces on record previous to 1683, of the Constable of
Brooklyn being ordered to repair the roads, and
in case of neglect, fined ; and in one instance he was
ordered by the Court not to depart until further
order.

The main road, or as part of it is now called,
Fulton-street, in the village of Brooklyn, was laid
out March 28th, 1704, by Joseph Hageman, Peter
Cortelyou, and Benjamin Vandewaier, Commissi-
oners, appointed by an act of the General Assem-
bly of the colony of New-York, for the laying out,
regulating, clearing and preserving of public high-
ways in the colony. The record of this road is as
follows : — " One publique, common and general
highway, to begin ffrom low water marke at the fer-
ry in the township of Broockland, in Kings county,
and firom thence to run fTour rod wide up between
the houses and lands of John Aerson, John Coe,
and George Jacobs, and soe all along to Broock-
land towne aforesaid, through the lane that now is,
and ffrom thence straight along a certaine lane to
the Southward corner of John Van Couwenhoven's
land, and ffrom thence straight to Bedford as it is
now staked out, to the lane where the house of Ben-

jaminVandewater stands, and ffrom thence straight
along through Bedflbrd towne to Bedfford lane,
running between the lands of John Garretse, Dor-
lant and Claes Barnse, to the rear of the lands of
the said Cloyse, and ffrom thence southerly to the
old path now in use, and soe all along said path to
Philip Volkertses land, taking in a little slip of said
Philip's land on the south corner, soe all along said
road by Isaack Greg's house to the Fflackbush new
lotts ffence, and soe all along said ffence to the east-
ward, to the north-east corner of Eldert Lucas's
land, lying within the New lotts, of Fflattbush afore-
said, being ffour rod wide all along, to be and con-
tinue forever."

This road or " king's highway," as it was then
called, leading from the ferry to the old Dutch
Church, or Brooklyn parish, was the cause of much
contention. At the April term of the General Ses-
sions of the Peace for Kings County, in 1721, in-
dictments were found for encroaching on the " com-
mon high way of the King, leading from the ferry
to the Church at Brookland," against John Rap-
alje, Hans Bergen and James Harding, and others.
— By which indictments it appears that the road
should have been four rods wide.

These indictments appear to have been predicat-
ed as well on the following application of John
Rapalje and Hans Bergen, as on complaints from
several of the inhabitants :

" Fflatbush, April 19, 1721. John Rapalje and
Hans Bergen of the fferry, desires of the grand jury
that the Commissioners now being should be pre-
sented for not doing their duty in laying out the
king's highway according to ye law, being the
King's highway is too narrow from the ferry to one
Nicalus Cowenhoven, living at Brooklyn and if
all our neighbours will make ye road according to

law, then ye said John Rapelje and Hans Bergen,
is willing to do the same as aforesaid, being they
are not willing to suffer more than their neighbours.
As witness our hands the day and year first above
written. JAN RAPELJE,

HANS BERGEN."

Some of the persons indicted considering them-
selves aggrieved, and others who feared being pla-
ced in the same situation, applied to the Colonial
Legislature, and July 27th, 1721, obtained the pass-
age of a law to " continue the common road or
king's highway, from the ferry, towards the town of
Breuckland, on the Island of Nassau, in the Pro-
vince of New-York," with the following preamble.
" Whereas several of the inhabitants on the ferry,
on the Island of Nassau, by their petition preferred
to the General Assembly, by setting forth, that ihey
have been molested prosecutions, occasioned by the
contrivance and instigations of ill and disaffected
persons to the neighbourhood, who would encroach
upon the buildings and fences that have been made
many years, alledging the road was not wide enough,
to the great damage of several of the old inhabit-
ants, on the said ferry ; the said road as it now is,
has been so for at least these sixty years past, with-
out any complaint, either of the inhabitants or
travellers."

The law then proceeds to establish the road " for-
ever," as it then w as, from the ferry upwards to the
town of Breuckland, as far as the swinging gate of
John Rapalje, just above the house and land be-
longing to James Harding. These proceedings
will readily account for Fulton-street, in the pre-
sent village of Brooklyn being so narrow and
crooked in many places.

The point however to which the Compiler wish-
es to draw the attention of his fellow citizens, is to
the existence and location of several public high-
ways and landing-places in this town which at pre-
sent are known to very few.

There is a public landing-place at or near the
mills of Nehemiah Denton, Esq. and a public high-
way leading thereto. — The record of which is as
follows : — " One common highway to Gawanus
mill, to begin ffrom the north-east corner of Leffert
Peterses ffence, and soe along the roade westerly,
as it is now in use to the lane yt parts the lands of
Hendrick Vechte, and Abraham Brower, and Nich-
olas Brower, and soe all along said lane as it is
now in ffence to the house of Jurian Collier, and
from thence all along the roade now in use to the
said Gowanos mill, being in all four rod wide to
the said lane ; and that there be a convenient land-
ing place for all persons whatsoever, to begin ffrom
the southermost side of said Gowanus mill house,
and ffrom said house to run ffour rod to the south-
ward, ffor the transportation of goods and the com-
modious passing of travellers ; and that said high-
way to said Gowanos mill ffrom said house of said
Jurian Collier shall be but two rod only and where
it is now in use ; said common highway to be and
continue forever ; and ffurther that the ffence and
gate that now stands upon the entrance into said
mill neck, ffor the inclosing and securing of said
neck, shall soe remaine and be ahvayes kept soe in-
closed with a ffence and hanging gate; and the way
to said mill to be thorow that gate only and to be
allwayes shutt or put to by all persons that passes
thorow." The Commissioners laid out the above
road and landing place, March 28th, 1704.

In 1709, the Commissioners laid out another
road and landing place, at or near the mill of John
C. Freeke, Esq. The record of which is as fol-

lows : — " One common highway to begin ffrom the
house of Jurian Collier to the New mill of Nicholas
Brower, now sett up on Gowanos mill neck soe
called, as the way is now in use along said neck to
said mill to be of two rod wide ; and that there shall
be a landing place by said mill in the most conve-
nient place ffor the transportation of goods and the
commodious passing of travellers ; and said high-
way and landing place to be, remaine and con-
tinue forever."

This town has a public landing place seven rods
in length, near the foot of what is now called Dis-
trict-street, in the village of Brooklyn. — This land-
ing place is mentioned in the record of a road three
rods wide, leading to the same, which record the
Compiler omits inserting in consequence of its
length and the multitude of entries connected there-
with.

It is believed by many, and not without very
good reason, that this town has a public landing
place a short distance to the North of the Old or
Fulton ferry, and which landing place is now in the
possession of the Corporation of New-York.

There is a very distinct tradition of a road to near
where this landing place is supposed to have been,
at the foot of which road was the public slaughter
house, where the butchers of Brook vn dressed their
meats. The road referred to, came out where the
house of the Fire Engine No. 4 now stands, and the
existence of that road gives the town its title to that
small piece of ground.

COMMON LANDS, AND THE DIVISION THEREOF.

The town having acquired so great an extent of
Common land by the purchase of 1670, from the
Indians, the inhabitants thought proper to take
some order for the division and defending thereof,
together with their other lands — accordingly, " at

a Town meeting held the 25th day of February,
169§, att Breuklyn, in Kings County. Then Re-
solved to divide their common lands and woods into
three parts, in manner following to witt :

1. All the lands and woods after Bedford and
Cripplebush, over the hills to the path of Newlotts
shall belong to the inhabitants and freeholders of the
Gowanis, beginning from Jacob Brewer and soe to
the uttermost bounds of the limits of New-Utrecht.

2. And all the lands and woods that lyes be-
twixt the abovesaid path and the highway from the
ferry towards Flattbush, shall belong to the free-
holders and inhabitants of Bedford and Cripple-
bush.

3. And all the lands that lyes in common after
the Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of Flat-
bush and New Utrecht shall belong to the freehold-
ers and inhabitants of Brooklyn, fred. neck, the fer-
ry and the Wallabout." This proceeding of the
Town meeting was allowed of by the Court of Ses-
sions, held at Flatbush, on the 10th day of May,
1693.

The following will serve to shew the manner in
which the inhabitants of this town elected the Trus-
tees of their common lands, and the duties of those
Trustees. " Att a towne meeting held this 2yth
day oflf Aprill, 1699, at Breucklyn, by order off
Justice Machiel Hanssen, ffor to chose townsmen
ffor to order all townes busines and to deffend theire
limitts and bounds and to dispose and lay out sum
part thereoff in lotts, to make lawes and orders ffor
the best off the inhabitants, and to raise a small tax
ffor to defray the towne charges, now being or here-
affter to come, to receive towns revenues and to pay
townes debts, and that with the advice off the Jus-
tices off this said towne standing the space and time
off two years. Chosen ffor that purpose by plural*

itie off votes. Benjamin Vande Water, Joores
Hanssen, Jan Garretse Dorlant.

B^ order of inhabitants afforesaid

J. VANDE WATER, Clarke."

These proceedings were recorded by order of the
Court of Sessions, on the 9th day of May, 1699.

The following proceeding is curious, setting forth
the ancient practice of tradesmen cutting down
timber in the public woods, and the regulations
made respecting the same. It appears that directly
after the Trustees were chosen by the above meet-
ing they together with the Justices, held the follow-
ing meeting. " Att a meeting held this 29th day
off Aprill, (1699J in Breucklyn, Present, Benja-
min Vande Water, Jooris Hanssen, Jan Geritse
Dorlant, being choisen townsmen in the presence
and with the advice off the Justices off this towne.

Considering the greate inconvenience, lose and
intrest that the inhabitants off this towne have by
reason that the tradesmen here living in this towne
doe ffall and cutt the best trees and sullv the best of
our woods and sell the worke thereoff made the most
part to others living withoute the towne, and that
the shoemakers and others doe cutt and fall all the
best treese ffor the barke, and the wood lyes and
rott, and that some persons doe cutt and ffall trees
for timber and ffensing stuff, and leave the trees in
the woods soe cutt until they are spoilt, and that
people off other towns come and cutt and fall trees
ffor timber, ffensing stuff, and ffire woods, and trans-
port the same away out off our townes bounds and
limitts, and that without leave or consent off the
towne, soe that in the time off ffew yeares there shall
bee no woods leaved ffor the inhabitants ffor timber
or ffensing stuff to the ruine off the said towne. It
is thereffore ordered, That ffrom the date hereoff no

tradesman shall make any worke fibr to sell to
others without thee towne, ffrom wood soe cutt as
afforesaid as only ffrom old wood.

That no shoemaker or others shall cutt or ffall
any trees ffor to barke in the common woods up-
pon the penaltie off ffive pound ffor every tree soe
cutt.

That no men shall leave any timber, ffensing
stuffe, or other wood in the woods longer as six
weeks affter itt is cutt, uppon the penaltie, that itt
shall be ffree ffor others to take and carry the same
away as theire owne wood. And that iff any one
off other townes shall be ffounden within our townes
limitts to cutt or carry away any sorts off woods
ffor timber, ffensing stuff or Aire wood, that itt shall
bee ffree ffor any one off this towne to take it away
and to take out writ to arrest, or to apprehend such
offender or offenders presently, and that the Justices
off this towne shall answer the action as iff itt were
done by theire owneselves (* -) These proceedings
were also recorded by order of the Court of Ses-
sions.

*' Towne meeting held this 5th day off May,
1701, by order off Justices Cornelis Sebringh and
Machiell Hanssen. We the major part off the ffree-
holders off Breucklyn doe hereby nominate, consti-
tute and appoint Capt. Jooris Hanssen, Jacob Hans-
sen and Cornelis Van Dtiyn, to bee trustees of our
Common and undivided lands, and to deffend and
maintaine the rights and privileges off our General
pattent, as well within as without."

" Towne meeting held this 2d day off February,
1701-2, by order off Justice Cornelis Sebringh.

(12) The idea intended to be conveyed by this regulation, I under-
stand to be, thai the Justices of the town of Brooklyn shall have cog-
nizance of the offence, as much as if the offenders resided within the
town.

Purposed iff the order off Bedford, made the 12th
day off April, 1697, shall bee cooffirmed concern-
ing the lying out of the common or undivided lands
or that the said land shall bee lyed out according to
the last tax, concerning the deffending off our
limitts.

Resolved by the ffreeholders aforesaid, that the
chosen townsmen shall ley out the commens ac-
cording as by the said order off Bedford was con-
cluded, with the ffirst opportunitie, and that all the
lotts joyning to the common woods shall be survey-
ed according to their grants."

The following Resolution was passed for defend-
ing those inhabitants to whom portions of the Com-
mon lands were allotted, in their enjoyment of the
same. " Alt a Towne meeting held att Brookland,
in Kings County, this 14th day of March, 1701-2.
Present, Machiel Hanssen, Cornelis Sebringh, and
Hendrick Vechten, Esquires, Justices. — Resolved,
by the major part of the freeholders of the said
towne of Brookland, that every man that has now
a right, loit, or lotts laid out in the quondam Com-
mon and undivided lands of Brookland aforesaid,
shall forever free liberty have for egress and regress
to his said lotts for fetching off wood or otherwise,
over all or any of the said lott or lotts of the said
freeholders in the lands aforesaid. And further,
that if any of the said freeholders shall at any time
or times hereafter, come by any loss or trouble,
cost or charges by lawe or otherwise, of, for or con-
cerning the title of any of their said lott or lotts, by
any person or persons, either within the township
of Brookland afforesaid, or without, that it shall
be defended and made goode, (if lost) att all the
proper costs and charges of all the freeholders of
said towne equally."

It appears that all the Common lauds of this
town had been divided among the freeholders, and
a portion annexed to each house in the town. — A
deed dated the 17th of April, 1705, after conveying
a house and lot of land in this town, conveys *' al-
soe all the rights and priviledges in the common
woodlands of the towne of Broockland aforesaid,
to said house, belonging as per record of said towne
may appear.(^ ^)

These lands, in the month of February, 1701-2,
were surveyed by Pieter Corteljeu and 8. Clowes,
two surveyors, and divided by them into three divi-
sions. The first or west division consisted of 62
lots, containing about 5 acres each, about 310
acres. The second or middle division of 62 lots,
containing about 10 acres each, about 620 acres;
and the third or east division also of 62 lots, con-
caining about 10 acres each, about 620 acres. —
Total number of acres about 1550.

DIFFERENCES AS TO BOUNDS.

The dift'erence between this town and the city of
New-York, having been treated of under the head
of Town Rights and Ferries, the compiler will con-
fine himself to the disputes which formerly existed
between this town, and the towns of Bushwick,
Flatbush and New-Utrecht, respecting their bounds.

The following proceeding relates generally to the
defence and settling of the limits of this town.

" Towne meeting held this 7th day of February,
1701-2, by order of Hendrick Vechten, Justice. —
The Justice Hendrick Vechten, brings in that the
towns men were nott well authorised concerninge
the lying out and deffending of our bounds by rea-
son that they have no power to compounde or

(13) The records referred to, together with all our Other town re-
cords were deatroyed during the Revolutiou.

agree with any of the neighbouring townes, &,c. —
These are therefibre, that the freeholders and in-
habitants doe give full power to the said Intrusties,
for to agree and compounde with any of the neigh-
bour townes concerning our bounds, and all what
our said Intrusties shall doe and agree with them,
we shall stand to itt." This proceeding was re-
corded by order of the Court of Sessions, on the
13th of May, 1702.

DIFFERENCE WITH BUSHWICK.

The difference as to the bounds of these two towns
seems generally to have been contested between in-
dividuals. The following is the only general order
on record respecting the same :

At a Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush for
Kings County, May 10, 1699. " Uppon the de-
sire of the inhabitants of Breucklyn, t\iat according
to use and order every three yeare the limmitts be-
tweene towne and towne must be runn, that a war-
rant or order may be given, that upon the 17th day
off May, the line and bounds betwixt said townes
of Breucklyn and Boswyck, shall be runn accord-
ing to their pattents or agrements." Ordered,
" That an order should be past according to theire
request."

DIFFERENCE WITH FLATBUSH.

The dispute between this town and Flatbush, res-
pecting their bounds, appears to have been of more
importance than that with any other place, except-
ing New-York.

At a Court of Sessions, held for the West Riding
of Yorkshire, upon Long-Island, the 18th of De-
cember, 1678, the following order was made:

"There being some difference between the townes
of Flat Bush and Breucklyn concerning their

bounds, the which they are both willing to refer to
Captain Jaques Corteleou and Captain Richard
Stillwell to decide. The Court doth approve there-
of, and order their Report to be determinative."

Messrs. Corlelyou and Stillwell complied with
the requisition of the above order as will appear by
the following report : but subsequent disputes shew
that the same was not " determinative."

"To the worshipfull Court of Sessions, now sit-
ting at Gravesend, June 21, 1683. These may
certiffie that in obedience to an order from said
Court, and by consent of both towns of Breucklyn
and Flaltbush, to runn the line betwixt the said
lownes which are we underwritten have done and
marked the trees betwixt towne and towne, as witt-
nesse our hands the daye and yeare above written.

JACQUES CORTELYOU,
RICHARD STILLWELL."

It appears by the following Certificate, that a
subsequent survey was made in 1684, of the divi-
sion line between this town and Flatbush.

" To satisfBe whom itt may concerne, that I be-
ing with Mr. Jacobus Cortland, about lire twenty-
eth day off November, 1684, imployed by Breuck-
land and Fflackbush, to vew and run out the line
betweene the two towns to the south of the hills
found that the line run fformerly by Capts. Jaques,
Cortelyou and Mr. Stillwell, is right and just, which
wee both being agreed, gave in our approbation of
the same.

PHILIP WELLS, Surveyor."

Staaten-I&land, in the County of Rich- )
mond, this 4th day of Aprill, 1687." ^

The above Certificate was recorded by order of
several of the inhabitants of Brooklyn.

At a Court of Sessions for Kings County, held
the 4th day of October, 1687, the following pro-
ceeding was had :

" Complaint off Jan Oake, and Cornelis Barduff,
authorised by the inhabitants of Fflackbush being
read against Pieter Cronwer, concerning the build-
ing uppon the land in question, betwixt Breucklyu
and Fflackbush, Itt is ordered, that none off the
partys shall meddle themselves with the said land
before the question off the said land shall be
finished."

December 4, 1689. Jooris Bergen, Jan Dorlant
and H. Claes Vechte, Commissioners of this town,
together with Jurrian Bries, Constable, granted to
Jeronimius Remsen, a piece of land lying at Bed-
ford, in lieu of a piece of land which they had for-
merly sold him, lying at the Port or entrance, and
which was claimed by the town of Flatbush.

At a town meeting, held in this town the 11th
day of April, 1702, by order of Justices Machiel
Hanssen, and Cornelis Seberingh ; it was

" Purposed to choise townsmen, in place off
George Hanssen, Jacob Hanssen, and Cornelis
Van Duyn, by cause theire times being past the
29th off this instant. Resolved to prolong the old
townsmen's time to the twenty-fifth off May next,
by reason they are in action off lawe with them off
Fflackbush, to be tryed this May court."

The differences between these two towns have
been amicably settled, and proper monuments
placed on the boundary lines, to prevent, if possi-
ble, all future disputes.

DIFFERENCE WITH NEW-UTRECHT.

February 14, 1702. George Hansen, Jacob Han-
sen and Cornelius Van Duyn, Trustees on the part
of the town of Brooklyn, and Cornelius Van Brunt,

Peter Corlelyou, and Aert Van Pelt,Trustees on the
part of the town of New-Utrecht, entered into an
agreement, which, after setting forth the said Trus-
tee's powers to enter into the same, proceeds to say,
" that the courses and lines hereafter specified shall
be the exact bounds between the said two towns of
Brookland and New Utrecht and soe to continue to
perpetuity without any alteration ; viz. The bounds
to begin in the sloott or pond lying and being by
and between the house of Agyes Vandyke, of the
said towne of Brookland and the house of Thomas
Sharax, of the said towne of New-Utrecht, where
the water runns into the salt water River, by a cer-
taine fence from thence stretching away south-cast
one degree southerly, two hundred eighty and
eight English rod, to a winter white oake tree markt
on the south and north-west side; and from thence
running east eight and twenty degrees northerly to
a white oake tree, being on the east side of the path
leading to New-Utrecht aforesaid, to the Gowanos
soe called in the towneship of Brot>kland abovesaid,
said tree being markt on two sides, and being
formerly the old markt tree betweene the said
townes, &ic."

At the time of the execution of the above-men-
tioned agreement, theTrustees of the town ofBrook-
lyn, gave a bond to the Trustees of the town of
New-Utrecht, in the sum of one thousand pounds
" currant money of New-Yorke." — The condition
of which Bond or obligation was, " That if the
above bounden George Hansen, Jacob Hansen and
Cornelius Van Duyne, severally and their severall
heires and assigns, doe and shall from time to lime
and at all times hereafter, well and truly observe,
performe and keepe, all and every the covenants,
articles of agreements, which on their and every of
their parts, are or ought to be observed, performed

and kept, contained and specified in and by certain
articles of agreements of the date hereof and made
betweene the above bounden George Hansen, Jacob
Hansen and Cornelius Van Duyn of the one part,
and the above-named Cornelius Van Brunt, Peter
Cortilleou and Aert Van Pelt of the other part, of,
in and concerning the limmitts and bounds of their
townes pattents, and that in and by all things ac-
cording to the true meaning of the said articles of
agreement in such wise that no breache be made of
the premises in said articles of agreenient by the
towne of Brookland aforesaid, at any time or times
hereafter, then this obligation to be void and of
none efiect, otherwise to stand and remain in full
force, virtue and power in law."

In the year 1797, a survey was made of all the
bounds of this town, and a map thereof transmitted
to the Surveyor General of this state.

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS.

This town had a full share of the military opera-
tions during the Revolutionary war ; and was for
a long time in the possession of the British army.
It is covered with the remains of fortifications which
were thrown up by the Americans(' ") and English
for their defence against each other. In this town
-was fought the most sanguinary part of the battle
of Long-Island, August 27, 1776; which took place
on the retreat of the American army within their
lines, and the attempt of a portion of them to ford
the mill ponds at Gawanos ; in which attempt near-
ly the whole of a Regiment of young men from
Maryland were cut oflf.

Many of the minor events connected with this
battle, and the Revolutionary contest, are fast sink-

(14) The fortifications at Red Hook were erected by a Regiment of
Continental troops, the night of April 8, 1776.

ing into the shades of oblivion : the compiler has
therefore thought proper to give place to the fol-
lowing piece of history, not with an idea, that he
can immortalize any event which he relates; but
with a hope, that his efforts will call forth some
nobler pen to dojusiiceto the memories of many of
the almost forgotten heroes of those hard fought
battles, and arduous contests. In the battle above-
mentioned, part of ihe British army marched down
a lane or road leading from the Brush tavern to
Gowanos, pursuing the Americans. Several of the
American riflemen, in order to be more secure, and
at the same time, more effectually to succeed in
their designs, had posted themselves in the high
trees near the road. One of them, whose name is
now partially forgotten, shot the English Major
Grant; in this he passed unobserved. Again he
loaded his deadly rifle, and fired — another English
officer fell. He was then marked, and a platoon
ordered to advance, and fire into the tree ; which
order was immediately carried into execution, and
the rifleman fell to the ground, dead. After the
battle was over, the two British ofiicers were buried
in a field, near where they fell, and their graves
fenced in with some posts and rails, where their re-
mains still rest. But for "an example to the rebels,"
they refused to the American rifleman the rites of
sepulture ; and his remains were exposed on the
ground, till the flesh was rotted, and torn off his
bones by the fowls of the air. After a considerable
length of time, in a heavy gale of wind, a large
tree was uprooted ; in the cavity formed by which,
some friends to the Americans, notwithstanding the
prohibition of the English, placed the brave sol-
dier's bones to mingle in peace with their kindred
earth.

August 28, 1776. Before day break, in a very
ihick fog, General Washington retreated with his
army from near the old ferry, Brooklyn, to New-
York. As the last boat of the Americans left the
shore, the fog dissipated, and the British made
their appearance on the hills above the place of em-
barkation, when a shot or two from an American
Battery on the hill near the house of Col. Henry
Rutgers, in New-York, compelled the British to de-
sist in their march to the ferry.

A short time after the retreat of the Americans,
Captain Hale, of the American arm}', was dispatch-
ed by General Washington, to see if the English
had taken possession of his camp at Brooklyn, and
what their situation was. This unfortunate young
officer was taken by the English and hung as a
spy, without even a form of trial ; and not allowed
a clergyman at his execution. It is believed he was
executed somewhere along the Brooklyn shore, to
the south-west of the old ferry. In our pity for
Major Andre, we have almost entirely lost sight of
this meritorious officer, whose claims on our grati-
tude ought ever to be remembered, in proportion
as his sufferings were greater than those of the for-
mer.

During the stay of the American army on Long-
Island, the head quarters of General Washington
were at the house on Brooklyn heights, now ovvned
and occupied by Henry Waring, Esq. The house
now owned and occupied by Teunis Joralemon,
Esq. was used by the English as a Hospital during
the Revolution, and in its vicinity, hundreds of
British soldiers and sailors are buried.

Most of the records of this town were destroyed
by the English when they came in possession of it
after the battle of Long-Island.

Tn the month of November, 1776, one of the
British prison ships, called the Whitby, was moored
in the Wallaboght, near Remsen's mills. On board
this vessel great mortality prevailed among the
prisoners, and many of them died. Those of the
prisoners who died from this ship, and from the
others, which were afterwards brought to this place,
were interred in the hill at the present Navy-Yard;
where their remains were found, and in the year
1808, deposited in a vault erected for that purpose.
March 1777, two other prison ships anchored in the
Wallaboght, one of which bore the name of Good
Hope; which vessel in the month of October, in the
same year, took fire and was burnt. The prisoners
were saved and transferred to the other vessels. —
Tlje hull of this ship lies under a dock at the Navy
Yard, in this town. In the month of February,
1778, on a Sunday afternoon, another British pris-
on ship was burnt in the Wallaboght. Tlie hull of
this vessel lies in the mud in that Bay. 1778, the
Jersey ship of the line, having arrived at New-York,
was condemned as unfit for the service, and con-
verted into a prison ship. As such slie anchored in
the Wallaboght during the month of April, in the
same year, together with the Falmouth and Hope,
for Hospital ships; where they remained till the
close of the Revolutionary war.

October 22, 1779, An act of attainder was passed
by the Legislature of tliis State, against John Rap-
alje, Esq. of this town, by which his property was
confiscated to the use of the State, That part of
his property lying within the bounds of the present
village of Brooklyn, was on the I3ih of July, 1784,
sold by the Commissioners of Forfeitures, to Com-
fort, and Joshua Sands, Esqrs. for £12,430.

In the year 1780, the British being apprehensive
of an attack from the American army under Gen-

eral Washington, commenced fortifying the high
grounds about Brooklyn ; which works they con-
tinued until the peace in 1783. In this town the
British had their army yard, where their forage de-
partment, and blacksmith's shops, &;c. were kept.
The entrance to this yard was near the junction of
Main-street with Fulton-street, in the present village
of Brooklyn.

During the Revolution, this place was much re-
sorted to by the officers of the English army, and
the fashionables of the day, as a scene of amuse-
ment. In the Royal Gazette of August 8th, 1781,
published at New-York, Charles Loosley advertises
a Lottery of $12,500, to be drawn at "Brooklyn
Hall." The same paper contains the following
advertisement : " Pro bono publico. Gentlemen
that are fond of fox hunting, are requested to meet
at Loosley's Tavern, on Ascot Heath, on Friday
morning next, between the hours of five and six, as
a pack of hounds will be there purposely for a trial
of their abilities : Breakfasting and Relishes until
the Races commence. — At eleven o'clock will be
run for, an elegant saddle, he. value at least twen-
ty pounds, for which upwards of twelve gentlemen
will ride their own horses. — At twelve, a match
will be rode by two gentlemen. Horse for Horse.
— At one, a match for thirty gumeas, by two gen-
tlemen, who will also ride their own horses. — Din-
ner will be ready at two o'clock, after which, and
suitable regalements, racing and other diversions,
will be calculated to conclude the day with pleasure
and harmony. Brooklyn Hall, 6th August, 1781."

Lieutenant Anberry, in a letter from New- York,
to a friend in England, dated October 30th, 1781,
says, *' on crossing the East River from New-York,
you land at Brooklyn, which is a scattered village,
consisting of a few houses. At this place is an ex-

cellent Tavern, where parties are made to go and
catfish; the landlord of which has saved an im-
mense fortune this war." The public house refer-
red to in the above advertisements, and letter, was
the same house, which after the Revolution, and in
the Compiler's recollection, was called the *' Cor-
poration House." It was a large, gloomy, old
fashioned, stone edifice ; and was destroyed by fire,
September 23d, 1812.

This town was left by the British troops, the
same day that they evacuated New-York.

ANCIENT GOVERNMENT.

The first public oflicer appointed by the Dutch
Government for this town after its settlement in
1625, was a *' Superintendant," whose duties were
to preserve the peace, and regulate the police of the
town. A few years after the office of Superintend-
ant was abolished, and the offices of Schout, Secre-
tary, and Assessor, created ; these officers were also
appointed by the Governor. In 1646, the town
having considerably increased, the inhabitants were
permitted to elect two magistrates; subject, how-
ever, to the approval or rejection of the Governor.
These magistrates had increased powers: they were
authorised to give judgment in all cases as they
might think proper ; provided that the judgment
so given be not contrary to the charter of New-
Neiherland. Subsequently this Town Court was
new modelled by the Dutch Government, and its
power and authority more clearly defined.

The inhabitants sufiering very much under the
arbitrary exercise of power on the [)art of the go-
vernment, frequently remonstrated against the same.
Finally a convention of delegates from this, and ihe
other towns under the Dutch government assembled
at New Amsterdam, November 26tb, 1653, on an

invitation from the Governor. Where they, on the
11th of December, following, entered into a re-
monstrance against the exclusion of the people from
their share in legislation, and generally against
their mode of government. The Governor and his
Council sent them no answer, but entered one on
the minutes ; in which they denied the right of this
town, Flatbush, and Flatlands, to send deputies,
and protested against the meeting, notwithstanding
the same was held at the Governor's request. En-
tertaining a just sense of the responsibility attached
to them, the deputies made another, but ineftectual
attempt, to obtain a recognition of their rights, and
on the 13th of the last mentioned month, presented
another remonstrance, in which they declared, that
if they could not obtain them from the Governor
and Council, they would be under the necessity of
appealing to their superiors, the States General. —
The Governor in a fit of anger dissolved their
meeting, and sent them home.

In 1654, it appears that the country was very
much infested with robbers ; to disperse whom,
April 7, 1654, the magistrates of this town, together
with those of Midwout and Amersfort, united in
forming a company of soldiers to act against "rob-
bers and pirates," and determined that there should
be a military officer in each town, called a Ser-
geant.

In order to prevent the depredations of the In-
dians, the Goverm»r in 1660, ordered the inhabit-
ants of Brooklyn to put the town in a state of de-
fenr e ; and commanded the farmers to remove with-
in the fortifications, on the pain of forfeiting their
estates. (* ^)

{}!)) In \65!}, a large body of Northern Indians made a descent on Sta-
len Island, and massacied G7 persons ; after whicli they crossed to Long-
Islind and invested Gravesend; which place was relieved by a party of
soldiers from iVew-Amstej-daai. It appears frou) the records that these

For the first two or three years under the En*
glish govenmeiit, the niagistrates of this town were
but temporary officers. Nearly all that we know
about the government previous to 1669, is, that
Town Courts were established in this Colon}'. —
The inference would be, that as this town w as
granted " all the rights and privileges belonging to
a town within this government," a town Court was
also organized here.

The Town Clerk of this town was appointed by
the Goverjior, and confirmed by the Court of Ses-
sions, as will appear by the following record : At a
Court of Sessions held at Gravesend for the West
Riding oi Yorkshire upon Long-Island, December
15, 1669. " Whereas Derick Storm presented an
order from his Hon. the Governor, for the appro-
bation of the Court of Sessions, to allow him to be
towne clerk of Breucklen, taking his oath, the
Court having allowed thereof, and doe hereby con-
firme him of Gierke of the said towne."

In the year 1669, the first mention is made in the
records of the "Constable of Breucklen;" which
office at that period was held by Michael Lenell.
The duties of constable as laid down in the Duke's
laws were, holding town courts with the overseers,
and with them making assessments, he. whipping,
or punishing ofienders, raising the hue and cry af-
ter murderers, manslayers, thieves, robbers, burg-
larers; and also to apprehend without warrant such
as were overtaken with drink, swearing. Sabbath

Iri'lians were on Iheir way to commence a war against the Indians on the
cahl end of Longj-Isand.

The inhabitrxnts of Flatbnsh were ordered by Governor Stuyvesant,
in H15C, 1o enclose their village with palisadoes to protect tliPiu
from tlie Itjdian?. These fortifications were required to be kept under
the English government, as will appear by the following record of the
Court of Sessions for the West Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Islvind,
Deccinber J jth, IG75. "The towne of Fflatbush having neglected the
making of fTorlifications, the Court take notis of it, and reffer the cen-
sure to ye Governor."

breaking, vagrant persons, or night walkers ; " pro-
vided they bee taken in the manner, either by the
sighte of the constable, or by present informacon
from others ; as alsoe to make searche for all such
persons either on ye Sabbath daye, or other, when
there shall bee occation in all houses licensed to
sell beere or wine, or any other suspected or disor-
dered places, and those to apprehend and keepe in
safe custody till opportunity serves to bring them
before the next Justice of ye Peace for further ex-
aminacon." The Constable was chosen out of the
number of Overseers, whose term of service had
expired.

The following is a list of the Constables of
Brooklyn, from 1669 to 1690;

1669. Michael Lenell.

1671. Lambert Johnson.

1675. Andries Juriaensen.

1676. Cornelius Corsen.

1678. Thomas Lambertse.

1679. John Aeresen.

1680. Andries Juriaensen.

1682. Martin Ryersen.

Brooklyn and Newtown were ordered to make a
new choice according to law.

1683. Jan Cornelis Dam

1684. Thomas Ffardon.

1687. John Aertsen.

1688. Volkert Andriese.

1689. Jacobus Beavois.

1689. Jurian Bries.

1690. Jurian Hendrickse.

Shortly after the conquest of this Colony by the
English from the Dutch, the towns of Brooklyn,
Bushwyck, Midwout, or Flatbush, Amersfort, or
Flatlands, and New-Utrecht, were formed into a

separate district for certain purposes, by the name
of the " Five Dutch towns." A Secretary was spe-
cially appointed for these five towns, whose duties
appear to have been confined to the taking acknow-
ledgment of transports, and marriage settlements,
and proof of wills, &ic. This ofiice in 1674, was
held by " Nicasius De Sille, in the absence of Sr
Ffrancis De Brugh." This same Mr. De Sille,
was in authority under the Dutch government, in
the year 1658, as Schout of the city of New-Am-
sterdam. He was styled, " Heer Nicasius De Sille."
There was no uniformity in the title of those ac-
knowledging officers of the Five Dutch towns. In
1675, IVlachiel Hainelle exercised that office, and
styled himself *• Clerk." In the same year the
Court of Sessions for this Riding, after setting forth
the appointment of Hainell, and calling him
'* Secretary," said, " It is the opinion of the Court
that for what publique or private business he shall
doe he ought to have reasonable satisfacon.(' ^)

There were also in this town, officers, who we»'e
called *' Overseers." The Duke's Laws provide for
their appointment in the following manner. " Over-
seers shall be eight in number, men of good fame,
and life, chosen by the plurality of voyces of the
freeholders in each towne, whereof foure shall re-
niaine in their office two yeares successively, and
foure shall be changed for new ones every yeare ;
which election shall preceed the elections of Con-
stables, in point of time, in regard the Constable
for the yeare ensuing, is to bee chosen out of that
number which are dismist from their office of Over-
seers."

(16) There were also a " Clerk" in most if not in all of tUese towns,
wbo seems to have been authorised to take proof of the execution of
wills ; whether he wa« the Town Clerk does not appear. This officer
was differently appointed in the different towns. In Bushwick he was
appointed by the Commissioners of the town, and in New-Utiecht he
was elected by the people, and approved of by the Governor.

The following is a copy of the oath which was
administered to the overseers elect.

" Whereas you are chosen and appointed an
Overseer for the Towne of Breucklen you doe
sweare by the Ever-living God, that you will faith-
fully and diligently discharge the trust reposed in
you, in relation to the publique and towne affaires^
according to the present lawes established, without
favour, affection or partiality to any person or cause
which shall fall under your cognizance ; and at
time when you shall bee required by your superi-
ors to attend the private differences of neighbours,
3^ou will endeavour to reconcile them : and in all
causes conscientiously and according to the best of
your judgment deliver your voyce in the towne
meetings of Constable and Overseers. So helpe
you God." These officers were commonly sworn
by the Court of Sessions; but in the year 1671,
the Constable of Newtown objected to the Court's
swearing the overseers of that town, ''alledginge
that accordinge to the amendments of the law iff
special occation required, itt is in the power of the
Constable to sweare them, otherwise not, which is
left to his Honor the Governor to decide." The
inhabitants of the tovvn for which the overseers were
elected were authorised to determine by a major
vote whether the said overseers should, on admis-
sion to office, take the oath prescribed as above ;
and in case the said overseers were not sworn, it was
a legal objection against their proceedings on the
pari of any person prosecuted in their court, unless
the overseers immediately on objection being made,
took the oath, which the Constable was permitted
to administer.

It was the duty of the overseers, together with the
Constable, to hold Town Courts, for the trial of
causes under £5. Their other duties are contained

iQ the following summary. On the death of any
person, they were to repair with the Constable, to
the house of the deceased, and inquire after the
manner of his death, and of his will and testament;
and if no will was found, the Constable in the pre-
sence of the Overseers was, within 48 hours, to
search after the estate of the deceased, and to de-
liver an account of the same in writing, under oath,
to the next Justice of the Peace. Thej', together
with the Constable made all assessments. If any
Overseer died during his term, the rest of the Over-
seers by a major vote, made choice of another in his
place ; and if the person so chosen refused to serve,
lie forfeited the sum of £10, towards defraying the
town charges. They were to settle the bounds of
the town, within twelve months after the bounds
were granted. They had the power of regulating
fences. They were authorised together with the
Constable to make choice of two out of the eight
overseers of Church affairs.

They and the Constable, were frequently to ad-
monish the inhabitants " to instruct their children
and servants in matters of religion, and the lawes
of the country.'' They, with the Constable, ap-
pointed an officer '' to record every man's particu-
lar marke, and seeeacii man's horse and colt brand-
ed." The Constable and two of (he Overseers were
to pay the value of an Indian coat for each wolf
killed ; and they were to cause the wolf's head to
be " nayled over the door of the Constable, their
to remaine, as also to cut of both the eares in token
that the head is bought and paid for."

The following is the only list that the Compiler
could obtain of the Overseers of this town.

1671. Frederick Lubertse and Peter Pernied-
eare.

1675. Jolin Peterson Mackhike, and Jerome
De RapoL.telley.

1676. Tunis Giiis Bergen, and Thomas Lam-
berlson.

1679 John Harrill, and Martyn Reyandsen.
1680. Symon Aeresen, and Michael Harsen.
1683. John Aeresen, and Daniel Rapellie.

In the year 1683, the *' Overseers" were changed
to " ( ommissioners." The " act for defraying the
publique and necessary charge of each respec-
tive citty, towne, and county throughout this pro-
vince ; and for maintaining the poore and prevent-
ing vagabonds." Passed by the General Assembly
of this colony, November 1st, 1683, provides—
*' That annually and once in every yeare there shall
be elected a certaine number out of each respective
citty, towne, and county throughout this province ;
to be elected and chosen by the major part of all
the ffreeholders and ffreemen ; which certaine num-
ber so duely elected shall have full power and au-
thority to make an assessment or certaine rate with-
in their respective cittys, townes and countys annu-
ally, and once in every yeare, which assessment
and certain rate so established as aforesaid, shall
bee paid into a certaine Treasurer, who shall be
chosen by a major part of all the ffreemen of each
respective citty, towne, and county ; which Trea-
surer soe duly chosen, shall make such payment for
the defraying of all the publique and necessary
charges of each respective place above-menconed,
as shall bee appointed by the commissioners, or their
President, that shall be appointed in each respective
citty, towne, and county within this province, for
be supervising the publique affaires and charge of
each respective citty, towne and county aforesaid."
And the said act proceeds further to say, " And
whereas it is the custome and practice of his Ma-

jesties realrae of England, and all the adjacent co-
lonyes in America, that every respective county,
cilty, towne, parrish, and precinct, doth take care
and provide for the poore who doe inhabit in their
respective precincts aforesaid ; Therefore it is enact-
ed, &.c. That for the time to come the respective com-
missioners of every county, cilty, towne, parish, pre-
cinct aforesaid, shall makeprovisionfor themaintain-
ance and support of their poore respectively. "( ^ '^)

The following is a list of the Commissioners of
this town from 1684, to 1690, inclusive.

1684. Thomas Lambertsen, Randolph Emans,
and John Aeresen.

1685. Tunis Guis Bergen, and Daniel Rapalie.

1686. Michael Hansen, and Jeromus De Rap-
alie.

The town made choice of Hansen and De Rap-
alie; and were ordered bv the Court of Sessions to
make a new selection by the 12th of April, 1686,
and return the same to one of the Justices of the
Peace for Kings County.

1687. Adriaen Bennet, Thomas Lambertsen,
and Tunis Guysbert.

The Court of Sessions ordered the town to make
choice of a new Commissioner in the place of Tunis
Guysbert; which they according did, and elected
Jan Gerritscn Dorland.

1688. Simon Aertsen, Micheal Hansen, and
Claes Barense.

The Court of Sessions refused to swear ^Michael
Hansen.

(17) This law provides, that any person not having a visible estate,
or a manual craft or occiipalioo, coming into any place within this pro-
vince, should give security, noL to become chargeable within two years ;
and the captain? of vessels bringing passengers into this province, were
required to report them to the chief magistrate of the place, within 24
hours after their arrival Under the Dutch government the poor were
supported out of the fines imposed for ofifences committed, and by con-
iributioQS taken up in the Churches.

1690. Jorls Hansen, Hendrick Claasen, and
Jan Gerbritse.

The office of " Commissioner" continued until
1703, when a " Supervisor" was elected. The Su-
pervisors of Kings County had their first meeting
on the first Tuesday of October, 1703; at which
meeting Captain Joras Hansen was the Supervisor
from Brooklyn. The duty of the Supervisors was,
" to compute, ascertaine, examine, oversee and al-
low the contingent, publick, and necessary charge
of each county." Two assessors were also elected
for this town, whose names were, Peter Garra-
brantse, and John E. Bennet; and one Collector.
This is not the first mention of the assessors and
collectors of this town in our County Records. In
1688, Michael Hansen, and Daniel Rapalie were
chosen assessors, for the purpose of assessing this
town's proportion of a tax of £308 8s Od, which
was imposed on Kings County. It is the opinion
of the Compiler, that these were distinct officers
from the Commissioners, whose duty it was to as-
sess the ordinary rates; and that these assessors were
but temporary officers, appointed to assess this par-
ticular tax. In 1699, Jan Garretse Dorlant is men-
tioned as Collector of Brooklyn; and in 1701,
John Bybout held the same office.

In 1691, a majority of the freeholders of the
town were impowered to make orders for the im-
provement of their public lands ; and annually to
elect three surveyors of highways. The duties of
these svrveyors were to amend and lay out high-
ways and fences. The town meeting at which
these orders were made, and officers elected, were
held by the direction, and under the superintend-
ance of one or more justices of the peace.

November 8, 1692. The court of sessions for
Kings county, ordered that each town within the
county, should erect '' a good pair of stocks, and

a good pound ;" and that the clerk of the court
should issue a warrant to the constable of every
town, requiring them to see this order complied
with " at their peril." The following is a list of
the constables of this town, from the new organiza-
tion of the colony in 1691, to 1711, as far as the
compiler has been able to ascertain the same :
1693. Volkert Brier.

1697. Volkert Brier.

1698. Jacob Hansen. [This man was
complained of by the last constable for not making
his appearance at court; and the sheriflf was or-
dered to summon him Jo appear at the next court.]

1699. Jacobus Beauvois.

1700. Cornelius Verhoeven.

1701. Jacob Verdon.

1702. Thomas Davies.

1703. Thomas Davies.

1704. William Brower.

1705. Jacob Ffardon. [This constable
refused to call a town meeting in 1706, in compli-
ance with the requisitions of a warrant he had re-
ceived from Justice Ffilkin, for the. election of
town officers ; and the inhabitants complained of
him to the court of sessions, who ordered that a
town meeting should be held for the election of
town officers, and that Ffardon should hold over
until a new constable was elected and sworn in his
stead.

1707. Abram Sleghter.

1708. Cornelius Collier.

1709. William Brower.
1711. Thomas Davies.

For some time previous and subsequent to the
year 1693, the colony was in a very disordered
state, arising probably from its new organization
after the revolution in Great Britain.

At tlie same period, both the civil and military
governments in this town and also in the county,
were very unpopular. In order to support their
authority, the justices of the peace resorted to the
exercise of very arbitrary measures : arresting and
confining many persons under the pretence of their
having uttered scandalous words against them, and
the government ; by which proceedings they com-
pletely alienated the people's aflections, and exas-
perated them to such a degree that they committed
many excesses : all which will appear by the fol-
lowing extracts from the records :

"October 11, 1693, at a meeting of the justices
of Kings county, at the county hall. Present,
Roeleii'Martinse, Nicholas Stillwell, Joseph Hege-
man, and Henry Ffilkin, esqrs. justices. John Bi-
bout, of Broockland, in the county aforesaid, we
aver being committed by the said justices to the
common jail of Kings county, for divers scanda-
lous and abusive words spoken by the said John
against their majesties justices of tlie peace for the
county aforesaid, to the contempt of their majesties
authority and breach of the peace; the said John
having now humbly submitted himself, and craves
pardon and mercy of the said justices for his mis-
demeanour, is discharged, paying the officer's fees,
and being on his good behaviour till next court of
sessions, in November next ensuing the date here-
of."

In another instance, during the same year, in the
month of October, in the town of Bushwyck, a
man named Urian Hagell, was imprisoned for hav-
ing said, on a training day, speaking jestingly of
the soldiers, " Let us knock them down, we are
three to their one." The justices called these
" mutinous, factious, and seditious words;" which,

with the like, appear to have been favourite terms
with them. Again, in the same mouth and year,
HendricU Claes Vechte, of the town of Brooklyn,
was imprisoned by the justices, on a charge of
" raising of dissension, strife, and mutiny, among
their majesties subjects." And May 8, 1694, two
women of Bushwick were indicted at the sessions,
for having beat and pulled the hair of Captain
Peter Praa, whilst at the head of his company of
soldiers on parade. One of them was fined £3,
and the cost, £1 \9s. 9d. ; and the other 405. and
the cost, £) 195. 9d. In the last mentioned year,
(1694) Volkert Brier, constable of Brooklyn, was
fined £5, and the costs of court amounting to £1,
by the sessions, " for tearing and burning an exe-
cution directed to him as constable."(' ^) Brier af-
terwards petitioned the governor to have the fine
remitted ; a copy of which petition is in the appen-
dix, marked C.

This town with respect to legal matters was un-
der the jurisdiction of the court of sessions held at
Gravesend, for the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon
Long-lsland,(' ^) until the year 1683; when an act
was passed by the first legislative assembly of this
colony, dividing the province into counties, by
which the ridings were abolished. The court
however continued to be held at Gravesend until
1686, when it was removed to Flatbush, in con-
formity to an act of the colonial assembly, passed
in the year 1685. This town continued under the

(18) Sept. 11, 1606, about 8 o'clock in the evening, John Rapale,
Isaac Remsen, Joras Yannester, Joras Daniel«e Rapale, Jacob Reyer-
Ben, Aert Aersrn, Tunis Buys, Garret Cowenhoven, Gabriel iSprong,
Urian Andriese, John Williarase Rennet, Jacob Bennet, and John
Meserole, jr. met armed at the court-house of Kings, where they des-
tioyed and defaced the king's arms which were hanging up there,

[19) The West Riding was composed of the towns of Brooklyn,
Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, New-Utrecht, and Gravesend, toge-
ther with StatcD-Islaud and Newtown.

jurisdiction of that court, and the court of common
pleas, which was afterwards established, until the
close of the revolutionary war. At the close of the
war the courts were re-organized, and this town
still continues under their jurisdiction.

PRESENT GOVERNarENT.

In 1816 the village of Brooklyn was erected out
of the town, and constituted a distinct government;
thereby forming an imperium in imperio.

The present government both of the town and
village, approach as near a pure democracy as that
of any other place in this state. No business of
importance is undertaken without first having the
sanction of a public meeting. Here these sterling
principles, that all power emanates from the peo-
ple, and that public officers are but public ser-
vants, are fully rocognized, and acted upon.

This head the compiler will divide into two divi-
sions, in order to avoid confusion : First, the Town
Government, and second, the Village Government.

First — the Town Government.

The government of the town is administered by
A Supervisor, elected by the people, at the an-
nual town-meeting, on the first Tuesday of April.
Tiie duties of this officer are principally confined
to the apportionment of taxes, presiding at elec-
tions, &ic. He is also ex officio a commissioner of
excise for granting tavern licenses in the town, and
the general guardian of the town rights. There is
no salary attached to this office : the supervisor
receives a conjpensation of two dollars per day,
for aitrnding the general meeting of the supervi-
sors of the difierent towns in the county, and a
trifling afuount for granting licenses. The pre-
sent supervisor is William Furman, esq.

A Toiun Clerk, also elected by the people. The
duties of this officer are to call special town meet-
ings on the request of twelve freeholders, record
the proceedings of town meetings, and preserve
the records of the town. In 1698, Jacob Vande-
water, town clerk of this town, received the sum of
£6 OS. for two years and six months salary.(2*')
In 1822, in order to make the town clerk's salary
in some degree proportionate to the increase of
business, the town voted him a salary of §50. la
1824, the town clerk's salary was increased to §75.
The office is at present lield by John Doughty, esq.
who has been successively elected since the year
1796.

Five Assessors, also elected by the people — whose
duties are to assess all real and personal estate lia-
ble to taxation within the town, and to forward
such assessment to the supervisors, that they may
apportion the amount of tax on the same. The
present assessors are Messrs. John S. Bergen,
Richard Stanton, John Spader, Joseph Moser, and
Andrew Demarest. Their compensation is one
dollar and twenty-five cents per day during the
time they are employed in making and completing
the assessment.

There are also elected two overseers of the poor,
Messrs. William Cornwell, and Isaac Moser ; one
constable and collector, Mr. John M'Kenney ; two
constables, Messrs. John Lawrence, and Samuel
Doxsey; and several other officers, whose names
and duties will be set forth in the subsequent parts
of this work.

The judicial business of this town is at present
transacted by \.\\Ye;e justices of the peace ^ viz. John
Garrison, John G. Murphy, and Samuel Smith,

(20) At the same period, the salary of the clerk of the county was
LIO. per aonuin.

esqrs. These magistrates are appointed by the
judges of the common pleas, and the supervisors of
the county.

Second — the Village Government .

April 12, 1816, the village of Brooklyn was in-
corporated by an act of the legislature of this state.
By this act th^ freeholders and inhabitants are au-
thorized annually to elect, on the first Monday of
May, ^' Five discreet freeholders, resident within
the said village, Trustees thereof;" and these trus-
tees are authorized to appoint a president and
clerk. The first trustees, Messrs. Andrew Mer-
cein, John Garrison, John Doughty, John Seaman,
and John Dean, were appointed by the legislature,
and continued in office until the first Monday of
May, 1817; when the first election was made by
the people, and they made choice of Messrs. Wil-
liam Furman, Henry Stanton, William Henry,
Tunis Joralemon, and Noah Waterbury. The
present trustees are Messrs. Joshua Sands, John
Doughty, Joseph Moser, John Moon, and Samuel
James. Joshua Sands, esq. president, and John
Dikeman, esq. clerk of the board. The president
previous to 1824 received no salary ; at present
his salary is $300. The clerk formerly received a
salary of $100, which inconsequence of the great
increase of business is now raised to $200. The
powers of the trustees are principally '' to make,
ordain, constitute, and publish, such prudential by-
laws, rules and regulations, as they from time to
lime shall deem meet and proper; and such in
particular as relate to the public markets, streets,
alleys, and highways of the said village; to
draining, filling up, levelling, paving, improving,
and keeping in order the same; relative to slaugh-
ter-houses, houses of ill fame, and nuisances gene-

rally ; relative to a village watch, and lighting the
streets of said village; relative to restraining; geese,
swine, or cattle of any kind ; relative to the better im-
provement of their common lands; relative to the
inspection of weights and measures, and the assize of
brtad ; relative to erecting and regulating hay-
scales ; relative to the licensing of public porters,
cartmen, hackney coachmen, gaugers, weigh-mas-
ters measurers, inspectors of beef and pork, of wood,
of staves and heading, and of lumber; relative to
public wells, pumps, and reservoirs or cisterns of
water to be kept filled for the extinguishment of
fires; relative to the number of taverns or inns to
licensed in said village; and relative to any thing
whatsoever that may concern the public and good
government of the said village; but no such by-
laws shall extend to the regulating or fixing the
prices of any commodities or articles of provision,
except the article of bread, that may be offered for
sale." The powers of th** trustees, in opening,
regulating, and widening streets, are enlarged and
defined by an act passed by the legislature of this
state, April 9, 1824.

The board of trustees have the appointment of
several officers. The fo lowing is a list of the
names of the officers at present holding under them.

John Lawrence, Collector.

Samuel Walts, \

John Titus, l^jr . ,

Andrew Tombs, i

Robert W. Doughty, J

Burdet Striker, Measurer.

William A. Sale, Measurer of Lime.

Three village Assessors are also elected by the
people, for the purpose of making an assessment on
which to apportion the village tax. The present
assessors are Losee Van Nostrand, Gamaliel King;
and John D. Conklin.

The Trustees, by an act passed April 9th; 1824,
are constituted a Board of HeaJth. The President
and Clerk of the Trustees are ex-officio President
and Clerk of the Board of Health The salary of
the President of this Board is $150.

A Health Physician is appointed by the Board
of Health; which office is at present held by Dr.
J. G. T. Hunt, with a salary of $200.

The duties of the Board relate to the general con-
servation of the Health of the village.

As early as 1809, during the prevalence of the
yellow fever in this town, the inhabitants met toge-
ther in consequence of repeated solicitations from
the Common Council of New-York, and after stat-
ing in their proceedings, that *' reports prevailed,
that disease exists to an alarming extent in the
town of Brooklyn," they appointed the following
gentlemen a committee " for the purpose of inquir-
ing into the state of the health of the inhabitants of
said town, and to act as the case in their opinion
may require," viz. William Furman, John Garrison,
Burdet Stryker, Henry Stanton, and Andrew Mer-
cein. A sum of money was raised by subscription
to meet the expenses of this Committee.

In the year 1819, the Trustees, although not
strictly invested with power, yet feeling the neces-
sity of acting with some degree of energy, in order
to quiet the fears of the inhabitants, arising from
reports of the existence of a pestilential disease in
New- York, published an address ; in which they
state, " that during this season of alarm, they have
not been unmindful of that part of their duty incum-
bent on them as a Board of Health for the village,"
and that " measures have been taken to obtain from
time to lime, a report of the state of health through-
out the village, that the inhabitants may be early
apprised of any change affecting their welfare."

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.

This head will be divided into three divisions —
first, Churches ; second, Markets; and third Pub-
lic Institutions.

First, Churches.

The first Church established in Kings County
was, October 13, 1654, when the Rev. Joannes
Theodorus Polhemus, a minister of the Dutch Re-
formed Church, wa.s permitted by Governor Stuy-
vesant, to preach at Midwout, (Flatbush) and Am-
ersfort, (Flatlands).(2 ') The congregation was
gathered at this time ; but the order of Governor
Stuyvesant for building the Church is dated Decem-
ber 15, 1654. February 9, 1655, the Governor
ordered the inhabitants of Brooklyn and Amersfort,
which at that period, together with Gravesend,
were one congregation, to cut timber for the erec-
tion of the Church at Midwout; which building
was to be 60 feet in length, 28 feet in breadth, and
14 feet in height below the beams.

In order to accommodate the four towns of
Gravesend, Amersfort, Midwout, and Brooklyn,
the Governor ordered that Mr. Polhemus should
preach every Sunday morning at Midwout, and
Sunday afternoons alternately at Amersfort and
Brooklyn.

In the year 1659, the inhabitants of this town ap-
plied to Governor Stuyvesant for permission to call
a minister for their congregation, assigning as a
reason for their application, the badness of the road
to Flatbush, the difficulty of attending divine ser-
vice at JNew-York, and the extreme old age and in-
ability of the Rev. Mr. Polhemus to perform his
services at Brooklyn.

(21) This miDiater died in the month of June, 1676.

The Governor deemed the request reasonable,
and sent Nicasius de Sille, Fiscal of New-Nether-
land, and Martin Kregier, Burgomaster, of New-
Amsterdam, to this town, as a committee of inqui-
ry, who reported in favour of the application ;
"whereupon the request of the inhabitants was grant-
ed. The inhabitants prepared a call for the Rev.
Henry Solinus, alias Henricus Selwyn, from Hol-
land, who was approved of by the classis of Am*
Sterdam, on the 16th of February, 1660, when the
classis also gave the Rev. Mr. Solinus a dismission,
wishing him a safe and prosperous journey by land
and by water to his congregation in the New-Ne-
therland. The lime of the arrival of this minister
is not known. He was installed in his church on
the 3d of September, 1660, in the presence of the
Fiscal, and Burgomaster Kregier, by the order of
Governor Stuyvesant, who appears to have been at
the head of the ecclesiastical, as well as the civil
and military government of the colony.

On the 7th of September, 1660, a letter was writ-
ten to the Kev. Mr. Polhemus, informing him of
the install'ition of the Rev. Mr. Solinus in the
Church of Brooklyn, and thanking him for his la-
bours and attention to the Congregation. The let-
ter was sent by a respectable person, to whom the
Rev. Mr. Polhemus returned his thanks for the at-
tention which the Church at Brooklyn had paid
him, and furnished the messenger with a list of the
names of the Church members, twenty-five in num-
ber.

Mr. Solinus' salary was 600 guilders per annum,
equal to $200. Three hundred guilders of which
was to be paid by Brooklyn, and three hundred by
Father land, (Holland). Some time after, the in-
habitants of Brooklyn objected to raising their pro-
portion of the salary ; and May 25, 1662, petition-

ed the Governor, that Mr. Solinus should reside
among them ; setting forth as a reason, that if their
minister resided with them more people would go
to church, and they would be better able to raise
the salary. Governor Stuyvesant, in order to ac-
commodate this dispute, proposed to pay 250 guil-
ders towards Mr. Solinus' salary, on condition that
he would preach in the Bouwery on Sunday after-
noons.— This arrangement appears to have been
entered into, for a short time after Mr. Solinus
preached at the Bouwery half the time.

The Indians having on the 7th of June, 1663, at-
tacked the town of Esopus, burnt the same, and
destroyed many of the inhabitants, and took many
prisoners; the event was communicated by Gover-
nor Stuyvesant to the church at Brooklyn, in the
following manner.

" As a sorrowfull accident and wilfull masacre
has been committed by the Esopus Indians, who
have with deliberate design under the insidious co-
ver of friendship, determined to destroy Esopus,
which they effected on the 7th instant, killing and
wounding a number of the inhabitants, and taking
many prisoners, burning the new town, and des-
olating the place. Whereupon the congregation
is directed and desired by his Excellency the Go-
vernor General to observe and keep the ensuing
Wednesday as a day of fasting, humiliation and
prayer to the Almighty, hoping that he may avert
further calamities from the Mew-Netherlands, and
extend his fatherly protection and care to the coun-
try. And it is further ordered, that the first Wed-
nesday in every month be observed in like manner.
By order of the Director General, and Council, he.
Dated at Fort Orange, June 26, 1663." Wednes-
day the 4th of July, 1663, was observed as a day
of thanksgiving on account of a treaty of peace

having been made with the Esopus Indians, and
the release of the inhabitants who had been taken
prisoners ; and also for the success obtained over
the British, who attempted with flying colours to
take possession of all Long-Island for the King of
England, which was prevented by the timely arri-
val of the Dutch fleet.

On the 23d of July, 1664, the Rev. Henry Soli-
nus took leave of his congregation and sailed in the
ship Beaver for Holland. After his departure,
Charles Debevoise, the schoolmaster of the town,
and sexton of the church, was directed to read
prayers, and a sermon from an approved author,
every Sabbath day in the church, for the improve-
ment of the congregation, until another minister
was called.

The first Dutch church in Brooklyn was built
in the year 1666, although a minister had been set-
tled to preach here for some years previous. —
A second church was erected on the site of that
built in 1666; which second church continued
standing until about 1810, when a new and sub-
stantial church was erected on Joralemon-street, and
the old one taken down. This old church was a
very gloomy looking building, with small windows,
and stood in the middle of the highway, about a
mile from Brooklyn ferry. In removing it the
workmen discovered the remains of a Hessian ofll-
cer, who had been buried there in his uniform, dur-
ing the Revolutionary war.

The Dutch congregations on this Island formed
but one church, although they had different con-
sistories.

The ministers under the Dutch government were
not permitted to marry any persons without making
the marriage proclamation on three succeeding Sab-
baths in their churches. The same practice was

observed after the Colony came under the British
government. The last mentioned government how-
ever sold marriage licenses, which were granted
by the Governor's Secretary in New-York, for the
sum of eight dollars each. The inhabitants gene-
rally preferred purchasing a marriage license, and
thus contributed to the revenue of the Governor
and Secretary.

During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Solinus, the
marriage fees were not the perquisite of the Minister,
as appears by his account rendered by him to the
Consistory, on the 29th of October, 1 662, when he
paid over to the consistory the sum of 78 guilders
and 10 stivers, for fourteen marriage fees received
by him.

The following is a list of ministers of the Dutch
Reformed Church, who officiated in the church on
this Island, (with the exception of Polhemus, and
Solinus,) taken from a manuscript of the Rev. Pe-
ter Lowe.

Joannes Magapolensis, probably died 1668.

Casperus Van Zuren, do 1677.

Clark, do 1695.

William Lupardus, do 1709.

Bernardus Freeman, (2=) from 1702, to 1741.

Vincintius Antonides, from 1715, to 1744.

Joannes Arondeus, probably died, 1742.

Anthony Curtenius, from 1730, to 1756.

Ulpianus Van Sinderen, from 1747, to 1796.

John Casper Rubel, from 1760, to 1797.

Martmus Schoonmaker, from 1785, to 1824.

[This venerable pastor was 88 years of age at
his death ; and a short time previous, officiated in
four congregations.]

Pet€r Lowe, from 1787, to 181S.

(22) This minister was naturalized in the Court of Sessions for Kings
County, November 8, 1715.

In the month of April, 1708, fifty-seven of the
inhabitants ofBrookJyn, entered into an agreement
(which is written in Dutch) to call a minister from
Holland, to preach in the church of this town. The
elders of the church at that time were, Daniel Rap-
alie, and Jores Hanse.

The salary of the Clerk of the Church in this
town was formerly raised by a tax on the whole
town. At a town meeting, held February 1, 1568,
It was resolved, that the sum of £20 10s. should be
raised, and paid into the hands of the " church
masters" for " the widow of Hendrick Sleght, ffor
1 year and 8 months salary, and being Clarke off
the churche."

The following singular proceeding may be amus-
ing to some readers, and will serve to shew to what
extremes, both the people and the magistrates car-
ried themselves in former times. Hendrick Vechte,
Esq. a Justice of the Peace, was presented at the
Kings County Sessions, May 14, 1710, for coming
into the Brooklyn Church, on Sunday, August 10,
1709, *• witii his pen and ink in his hand, taking of
peoples names, and taking up one particular mans
iiatt up, and in disturbance of the minister and peo-
ple in the service of God,&z;c." Vechte's plea was
that in obedience to an order ot the Governor he
did go into the church as allcdged, " to take notice
of the persons that were guilty of the forcible entry-
made into the Church, that by Abram Brower, and
others, by breaking of said Church doore with force
and arms, forcibly entering into said Church, not-
withstanding the forewarning of Mr. Freeman the
minister, and his people to the contrary." The
Court found that Justice Vechte was not guilty of
a breach of the peace, and discharged him. it must
be remembered that Justice Vechte was a member
of the Court. There was a considerable difference

of opinion and many disputes among the inhabit-
ants of this town, and of the County, as to the right
of the Rev. Mr. Freeman to preach ; into the merits
of which controversy, it is not to be expected that the
Compiler can enter at this distant day. Excepting
the above proceeding of the Court, the only docu-
ment which the Compiler has been able to obtain
relative to this controversy is a letter from Henry
Ffilkin, Esq. to the Secretary at New-York, which
will be found in the Appendix marked with the let-
ter D.

December 18, 1814, the Trustees of the Dutch
Reformed Church of the town of Brooklyn were
incorporated. At which time the following gentle-
men were officers of the Church.

Martinas Schoonmaker, > -... . ^
T) ^ T ? JMuiisters.

Feter Lowe, J

Elders.
Fernandus Suydam, Walter Berry,
Jeremiah Johnson, John Lefierts.

Deacons.

Jeremiah Brower, Lambert Schenck,

Abraham De Bevoise, Abraham Remsen.

The present officers of this Church are,
Rev. S. S. Woodhull, D. D. Pastor.

Elders.

Leffert Leflferts, Tunis Joralemon,

David Anderson, Nehemiah Denton.

Deacons.

Thcodorus Polhemus, James De Bevoise,
Adrian Hegeman, Adriance Van Brunt.

September 18, 1785, an "Independent Meeting

House," was incorporated at this place. The offi-
cers of which were :

John Matlock, Pastor,
George Wall, Assistant,^
John Carpenter, Treasurer,
George Powers, Secretary.

Trustees,

William Bunton, John Emery,

IRobert Steath, William Hinsou.

Barnard Cordman,

Their place of worship was a frame building on
what is now the Episcopalian burying ground in
Fulton-street. This congregation continued but a
short time, in consequence of the seceding of its
members to the Episcopalian Church, which was
soon after established in this place.

The first celebration of Divine Service after the
manner of the Protestant Episcopal church, in this
town, subsequent to the Revolution, was at the old
brick house known as No. 40 Fulton-street, and
now owned by Mr. Abiel Titus.

About the year 1787, the Episcopal Church was
established in Brooklyn, under the pastoral care of
thp Rev. Mr. Wright, at the house on the north-east
corner of Fulton and Middagh-streets; which
house was fitted up with pews, &ic.

April 23, 1787. "The Episcopal Church of
Brooklyn" was incorporated. The following are
the names of the first

Trustees.

Whitehead Cornell, Joshua Sands,

Joseph Sealy, Aquila Giles,

Mathew Gleaves, Henry Stanton,
John Van Nostrand.

This congregation afterwards came into posses-
sion of the place of worship before used by the In-
dependent Congregation, and continued to worship
in that edifice until they erected the Stone Church
called " St. Ann's Church," on Sands-street.

June 22, 1795. The Episcopal Church in this
town was re-organized and incorporated by the
name of" St. Ann's Church."

Church Wardens,
John Van Nostrand, and George Powers.

Vtstryraen,
Joshua Sands, Aquila Giles,

Paul Durel, John Cornell,

Joseph Fox, Gilbert Van Mater,

William Carpenter, Robert Stoddard.

The congregation at the same time resolved,
that Monday in Easter week should be the time of
their future elections for Church officers.

The stone church which was erected on Sands-
street, has continued to the present time : but is now
in bad repair, in consequence of the walls not hav-
ing been properly erected. The Vestry passed a
vote for erecting a new church to front on Wash-
ington-street, the corner stone of which was laid
March 31, 1824. The new edifice is fast progress-
ing, and promises to be a great ornament to the
place.

The present officers of St. Ann's Church are,

Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, Rector.

Church Wardens.
William Cornwell, and Joshua Sands.

T^estrymen.
James B. Clarke, John H. Moore,

Robert Bach, Robert Carter,

Adam Tredwell, Losee Van Nostrand,

Fanning C. Tucker, A. H. Van Bokkelen.
William Cornwell, Treasurer.

May 19, 1794, the "First Methodist Episcopal
Church" in this town, was incorporated. The
Trustees at which period were,

John Garrison, Stephen Hendrickson,

Thomas Van Pelt, Richard Everit,

Burdet Striker, Isaac Moser.

The present Meeting-house of this denomination
is erected on the site of their first place of worship,
on Sands-street ; and is a neat, plain edifice. The
present officers are.

Rev. William Ross, Pastor in charge.

Trustees.
John Garrison, George Smith,

Isaac Moser, Isaac Nostrand,

William Foster, John G. Murphy,

Jacob Brown, R. Van Voris.

Andrew Mercein,

Isaac Moser, Treasurer.

January 12, 1818, The " African Wesleyan Me-
thodist Episcopal Church in the village of Brook-
lyn," incorporated.

First Trustees.

Peter Croger, Benjamin Croger,

Israel Jemison, John E. Jackson,

Ceasar Sprong.

The place of worship of this congregation is a
frame meeting house situate on High-street.

March 13, 1822. The " Firit Presbyterian
Church of Brooklyn" was incorporated.

First Trustees.
Jehiel Jaggar, Elkanah Doolittle,

Nathaniel Howland, Joseph Sprague,
Silas Butler, Alden Spooner,

John B. Graham, George Hall,

Charles H. Richards.

The corner sione of this church was laid, April
15, 1822. The Church is situate on Cranberry-
street ; and is a very handsome brick building,
something in the Gothic style. The present officers
are,

Rev. Joseph Sanford, Pastor.

Elders,
Zechariah Smith, Selden Gates.

Ezra C, Woodhull.

Trustees,
Alden Spooner, George Hall,

Edward Coope, Nathaniel Rowland,

Henry W. Warner, Benjamin iMeeker,

Elkanah Doolittle, Joseph Sprague,

Silas Butler.

Elkanah Doolittle, President of the Board,
Silas Butler, Clerk do

Nathaniel W. Sanford, Treasurer.
November 20, 1822. *' St. James Roman Ca-
tholic Church," incorporated.

First Trvfiiees.
George S. Wise, Jun. William Purcell,
Peter Turner, James Rose,

Patrick Scanlan, Darby Dawson,

William M'Laughlin.

The corner stone of this Church was laid, June
25, 1822. The edifice is of brick, and approaches
nearer to the Gothic architecture than any other
building in this town. It is yet unfinished. This
is the first Roman Catholic Church erected on
Long-Island. The present Trustees are,

, President. (^3)

Peter Turner, Secretary,

(23) This office was held by George 6. Wise, Juo. Esq. until his
death in November, 1824.

William Purcell, Treasurer,
James Rose,
Darby Dawson,
William M'Laughlin,
Patrick Scanlan.

October 15, 1823. The " First Baptist Church
in Brooklyn" incorporated.

Trustees.
Eliakim Raymond, Elijah Lewis,

John Brown, Richard Poland,

Charles P. Jacobs.

March 24, 1824. Rev. William C. Hawley was
ordained Pastor of this Church. This congrega-
tion have as yet, erected no building for public wor-
ship ; but assemble for that purpose in the District
School room, No. 1.

There are also in this town some of the denomi-
nation of Friends, and a small congregation of
Universalists ; neither of which have established
places of public worship. The Universalists are
under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Mit-
chill, and assemble for Divine service in the District
School room, No. 1.

In the present year, this town purchased of Lef-
fert Lefferts, Esq. a small farm situate at the Walla-
boght ; a portion of which was set off for a bury-
ing ground, and divided into convenient parcels ;
which were allotted in the following manner to the
different congregations worshipping in the town,
viz.
No. 1. Dutch Reformed, 5. Methodist Episcopalian

2. Friends, 6. Universalist,

3. Presbyterian, 7. Episcopalian,

4. Roman Catholic, 8. Baptist,

9. Common.

Second, Markets.
A market was established in this town as early
as the year 1676, which will appear from the fol-
lowing order of the General Court of Assizes, made
in the month of October, 1675. " Upon proposal!
of having a fayre and Markett in or neare this City.
(New-York) It is ordered, That after this season,
there sliall yearely bee kept a fayre and markett at
Breucklen near the ferry, for all grayne, cattle, or
other produce of the countrey, to be held the first
Munday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, in November;
and ill the City of New-York, the Thursday, Fri-
day, and Saturday following."

Previous to the year 1814, there were two mar-
kets in this place; one of which was situate at the
foot of the old ferry-street ; and the other at the
foot of Main-street. Both these markets were taken
down in 1814.

At present we have no public market ; the in-
habitants are supplied from several butcher's shops
for the sale of meat, and stands for vegetables,
scattered about in different parts of the village. —
The people have been for some time past endeav-
ouring lo obtain a public market, and the great
difficulty appears to be the location of a proper
site. At a village meeting, held June 26, 1824,
the sum of $10,000 was voted to erect a brick mar-
ket house and Village Hall, with other offices. This
amount it was resolved, should be raised by a loan
for not less than ten years, at six per cent ; and
that the proceeds of the market arising from the
letting of stalls, he. should be appropriated to pay-
ing the interest of said loan ; and that if in process
of time there should be a surplus, after paying the
interest, the same should be converted into a sink-
ing fund for extinguishing the principal. These re-
solutions have not as yet been carried into effect.

Thirds Public Insiitutions.

Of public institutions we have not many to boast
• — they may be strictly confined to one Bank, a
Fire Insurance Company, and an Apprentices* Li-
brary.

The " Long-Island Bank" was incorporated,
April 1st, 1824, with a capital of $300,000, divided
into six thousand shares of $50 each. The present
officers are, Leffert Leflerts, Esq. President, and
D. Embury, Cashier.

The " Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company" was
incorporated, April 3, 1824, with a capital of
§150,000, divided into six thousand shares of $25
each. The present officers of this institution are,
William Furman, President, and Freeaian Hop-
kins, Secretary.

There is also in this village a branch of the
*• Equitable Fire insurance Company"; ofuhich
Abraham Vanderveer, Esq. is Agent.

The Apprentices' Library Association, which
iias been formed but a short lime, promises to be of
great benefit to the apprentices of the place, by in-
troducing among them, habits of reading and re-
jection, which, if properly attended to, will enable
them to support the honourable character of good
citizens.

The Library at present consists of about twelve
hundred volumes, which have been presented by
different individuals. About one hundred appren-
tices take books from it, regularly once a week. —
This institution was incorporated by an act of the
Legislature, passed in November, 1824. The pre-
sent officers are,

Robert Snow, President ; Thomas Kirk, Vice-
President ; Andrew Mercein, Treasurer ; Robert
.NIcholls, Secretary.

Under this head it may be proper to notice, that
there are two Masonic lodges in this tovvu, and a
Post office.

Fortitude Lodge, No. 81. — W, Levi Porter,
Master.

Hoheidinden Lodge, No. 338. — W. Abiathar
Young, Master.

The Post office is kept at No. 97 Fulton-street,
by George L. Birch, Esq. Post Master. Tlie mail
is carried daily (Sundays excepted) between Brook-
lyn and New-York, and closes at Brooklyn at 8
A. M. and arrives at 4 P. M.

POPULATION AND INCREASE.

Within a few years this town, and particularly the
village lias increased very rapidly. In 1814, the
town of Brooklyn contained 3805 inhabitants ; and
in 1816, the town contained 4402 inhabitants. In
1820, the census was as follows, (being almost two
thirds of the population of the County.)

White males, under 10 years of age, 870
do. between 10 and 16 376

do. between 16 and 20 717

do. between 26 and 45 961

do. between 45 and upwards 379

3309

White females, under 10 years of age, 876
do. between 10 and 16 398

do. between 16 and 26 705

do. between 26 and 45 961

do. between 45 and upwards379

3319

Free blacks, . - - - 657

Slaves, 190

7475

Foreigners not naturalized - » 252

Persons engaged in Agriculture, - - 264

do. in Commerce, - 67

do. in Manufactures, - 497

The following account of the population of Kings
County at different periods, may not be uninterest-
ing to many readers.

The population of Kings Coun-
ty in " 1731 was 21 50

1756

2707

1771

3623

1786

3966

1790

4495

1800

5740

1810

8303

1820

11187 (24)

(24) Governor Nicolls in a letter to the Duke of Vork, November*
1663, informed him " that such is the mean condition of this town, (New-
York) that not one soldier to this day has lain in sheets, or upon any
other bed than canvass and straw.

1678, New-York contained 343 houses, and 3430 inhabitants; and
there were owned in the City, three ships, eight sloops and seven boats,

1686. The City of New- York contained 594 houses, and COOO in-
habitants ; and there were owned in it, 10 three masted vessels of be-
tween 80 and 100 tons ; 3 ketches, or barques, of about 40 tons ; and
about 20 sloops, of 25 tons. In the same year, the militia of the colony
consisted of 4000 foot, 300 horse, and one company of dragoons.

1696. There were owned in the city of New-York, 40 ships, 62
sloops, and 62 boats.

In 1697, the population of New-Y'ork has considerably decreased,
''rom what it was in 1686 ; the census taken this year was as follows :

1731.

riVIen,

946

Whitpq ) ^^'onien,

»niie3 \ Young ^^^ a^j hoyg^

- 1018

864

' Young women and girls.

- 899

3727

iMen,
Blacks. / Women, _ - .

209

- 205

( Boys and girls,

161

575

Total.

4302

The City of New- Vork contained

White males, - - -

3771

White females, ...

- 3274

7043

In 1706, There were 64 freeholders in the town
of Brooklyn. In 1802, their number had only in-
creased to 86, as appears from the list of Jurors at
that period. In the year 1800, there were 253 votes
given in this town, at a contested election for as-
semblyman. In 1824, on the same occasion 1013
votes were taken.

At the close of the Revolutionary war, the town
of Brooklyn within the bounds of the present vil-
lage contained 56 buildings. In 1821, the village
contained 867 buildings ; of which 96 were Gro-
ceries and Taverns, and several store-houses. —
These store-houses depend principally, on the ope-
ration of the Quarantine laws, in the months of
June, July and August, for business. On the 23d
of July ill the same 3'ear, there were lying at the
wharves in this village, 13 ships, 9 brigs, 8 schoon-
ers, and 14 sloops. July 1, 1824, there were lying
at the wharves in this village, 8 ships, 16 brigs, 20
schooners, and 12 sloops.

In 1822. 50 dwelling-houses were erected in ibis
village. In 1823, 122 frame dwelling and 32 brick
and brick front buildings were erected. January 1,
1824, the village of Brooklyn contained 113 stone,
brick and brick front buildings. During the present
year 143 frame dwelling-houses have been built in
this village.

Black males, - . - 785

Black females, - - - - 792 1577

Total. 8G21!

1759. The City contained 10,8P.l inhabitants.

1771. It contained 21 8H.J inhal)it.int?.

I78C. Ii coDt lined 33-10 iiou-^es, and 23,614 inlnhitanl?

ITHO. It contained VM3\ inhabitant?.

liiOO. ».0139

18 JO. m.iTi

1820. 130000

The town contains 8 Ropewalks, which manu-
facture 1130 tons of cordage annually; 4 Distil-
leries ; 2 Spirits of Turpentine Distilleries ; 1 Glue
factory; 1 Chain cable manufactory ; 2 Tanneries ;
2 White lead works ; 1 Whiting manufactory ; 1
Glass factory and 1 Furnace for casting iron. The
manufacture of Hats is conducted on a large scale
in this place.

In the year 1 703, a survey was made of " Broock-
lands improveable lands and meadows within fence,"
and the same was found to amount to 5177 acres.
At that period the greatest holder of that descrip-
tion of land was Simon Aersen, who owned 200
acres. In 1706, all the real and personal estates of
the town of Brooklyn were assessed at £3122 12s.
Od. The tax on which was £41 3s. 7^d and the
whole tax of the county £201 16s IJd. In 1707, the
real and personal estates of this town assessed at
£3091 1 Is Od, The government tax on which, was
for the same year £116 7s 3d, payable in two
payments ; and the whole tax of the county £448 3s
7d. The present year, the real estate in this town
was assessed at §2,1 11,390. And the personal es-
tate at $488,690; being considerably more than
one half of the whole value of the county. The
State, county and town tax on which amounts to
5J6,497 71. At this period there are m the village
1149 taxable persons, and the village tax amounts
to $2625 76, averaging about $2 29, rach taxable
person. This village tax includes §450 raised to
meet the expenses of the Board of Health, and is
exclusive of all local assessments for opening and
improving streets, he.

The receipts of the overseers of the poor of this
town for the year 1823, amounted to $3108 77, and
iheir expenditures to $3469 49, leaving a balance
of $360 72 against the town.

On the 22d of March, 1823, there were 54 per-
sons in the Alms-house ; 6 J persons were admitted
during the year ending March 30, 1824. During
the same period, 34 were discharged, and 10 died.
March 30, 1824, there were in the Alms-house 40
persons, viz. 11 men, 16 women, 5 girls, and 8
boys. In the winter of 1823-4, 93 loads of wood
were distributed from this institution among the
poor of the town.(2 5j

April 21, 1701, a piece of land about 100 feet
square, lying within the present bounds of the vil-
lage of Brooklyn, was sold for £75, " current
money of the Province of New-York." 1720 a
dwelling-house and lot of ground containing 62
feet front, 61 feet rear, and 11 1 feet deep, near the
ferry, on the north-east side of what is now called
Fulton-steet, sold for £260, " current money of
New-York. In the year 1784, all the property
owned by the Corporation of the City of New- York
in this town was assessed at £365, New-York cur-
rency; which property is now worth $50,000 at the
lowest calculation.

August 30, 1701. John Bybon sold to Cornelius
Vanderhove, for £37 10s, the one equal half part
of a brewhouse, situate at Bedford, in the town of
Brookland, fronting the highway leading from Bed-
ford to Cripplebush; together with one equal half
part of all tiie brewing vessels, &c.

In 1685, a Windmill was erected in this town by
John Vannise and Peter Hendricks, for Michael
Hainell. There is great reason to believe that this
was the first mill erected in this town. August 19,
1689, an agreement was entered into between Cor-
nelius Seberingh of Brookland, and John Marsh of
East Jersey, relative to building a water mill on

(2b) The town is now erecting a very neat building for an Alms-
house, on the property lately purchased from Leffert Lefferts, Esqr.

Graver's kill in this town. At present there are in
this town seven water mills and two wind mills. —
From February 16, 1823, to February 15, 1824,
5825 barrels of superfine flour, 260 barrels of fine
flour, and 124 hogsheads of corn meal were inspect-
in this county. The most, if not all of which flour
and meal was manufactured at the mills in this
place.

SCHOOLS, NEWS-PAPERS, AND MORAL CHARACTER.

May 1661, Charles Debevoice was recommend-
ed by Gov. Stuyvesant as a suitable person for
schoolmaster of this town, and also for clerk and
sexton of the church, who was employed and re-
ceived a good salary.

Immediately previous to the revolutionary war,
that part of the town of Brooklyu which is now
comprised in the bounds of the village, and for
some distance without those bounds, supported but
one school, of 19 scholars, five of whom were out
of the family of Mr. Andrew Patchen. The school-
house was situated on the hill, on property which
was then owned b\' Israel Horsfield, but now be-
longs to the heirs of Carey Ludlow, deceased. —
The teacher was Benjamin Brown, a staunch whig
from Connecticut.

District School, JVo. 1. This school was organ-
ized at a public meeting, held Jan. 2, 1816, at which
meeting Andrew Mercein, John Seaman, and Ro-
bert Snow were elected trustees, and John Dough-
ty clerk of the school. The trustees were appointed
a committee to ascertain a proper site for building
a school-house, and report the probable expense
thereof. At a meeting held January 12, 1816, the
trustees reported that they could purchase four lots
of ground on Concord street, of Mr. Noah Water-
bury, for $550. The meeting thereupon resolved.

that '* the sum of $2000 should be raised by tax on
the inhabitants of the said district, to purchase said
lots and to build a school-house thereon ;" and
that in the mean time the " Loisian school be the
common school of the said district ;" and that
'' the trustees of the district be authorized to exon-
erate from the payment of teacher's wages all such
poor and indigent persons as they shall think pro-
per, pursuant to the act of the legislature ;" and
that " it be recommended by this meeting, that the
common school to be taught in this district, be on
the Lancastrian plan of instruction."

In the school of this district, which includes the
village of Brooklyn, upwards of 200 children are
taught. The price of tuition does not exceed four
dollars per annum, and from that amount down to
nothing, in proportion to the abilities of the pa-
rent. The School District No. 1, at present con-
tains 1607, children between the ages of 5 and 15
years, of whom 1 J 57 go to the public or private
schools.

In 1821 there were eight private schools in the
village of Brooklyn.

In 1823 the town received from the state g418 13
for the support of common schools.

The present officers connected with the common
schools of the town are —

Commissioners. Jordan Coles, Robert Nichols,
Josiah Noyes.

Inspectors. Charles I. Doughty, Evan Beynon,
Robert Snow.

Trustees of District School Ko. 1. William
Cornwell, Joseph Sprague, Charles I. Doughty. —
Clerk, Ralph Malbone.

iN'ewspapers.

Four Newspapers have been published in this
town in the following chronological order :

June 26, 1799. The first number of the «• Cou-
rier, and New York and Long-Island Advertiser,"
published by Thomas Kirk, Esq. This was the
first newspaper established on Long-Island.

May 26, 1806. The first number of the " Long
Island Weekly Intelligencer, published by Mess'rs.
Robinson and Little.

June 1, 1809. The first number of the " Long
Island Star," published by Thomas Kirk, Esq.

March 7, 1821. The first number of the " Long
Island Patriot," published by Geo. L. Birch, Esq.

Li the month of November, 1810, proposals were
issued by Benjamin F. Cowdrey, &; Co. for estab-
lishing in Brooklyn a weekly newspaper, to be en-
titled " The Long-Island Journal, and American
Freeman." For some reason unknown to the com-
piler this paper was not published.

During the month of May, 1820, Brockholst
Livingston, jun. issued proposals for publishing a
weekly newspaper in this village, to be entitled the
" Long-Island Republican." Not meeting with
sufficient encouragement, this attempt was aban-
doned.

The only two papers now in existence in this
town, are " The Star," published by Alden Spoon-
er, Esq. and the " Long Island Patriot," by George
L. Birch, Esq.

Moral Character.

It is a delicate subject for a writer to treat of the
morals of a people among whom he is a resident,
lest by telling the truth too plainly, he awaken un-
pleasant feelings in the breasts of some whom per-
haps he would not wish to ofiend. On the other
hand, if glaring faults are slightly passed over, or
palliated, it calls down on his devoted head all the
envenomed attacks of malicious criticism. The

compiler, however, flatters himself that neither will
be tlie case in this instance.

The people of Brooklyn, it is true, cannot be
considered as rigid in religious matters as the saints
of Oliver Cromwell's army, whose very cannon had
on the inscription of" O Lord, open thou our lips,
and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise !" But
they are far from being irreligious ; the churches
are well filled, religious societies are liberally sup-
ported, vice discountenanced ; and for the more
efl'ectual suppression thereof, in 1815, a society for
the suppression of vice and imn)orality was formed,
consisting of many of the most respectable inhabit-
ants of the town. By the exertions of our Sunday
school societies, attached to the difl'erent congrega-
tions, the morals of the younger part of the com-
munity have been greatly reformed ; and it is high-
ly gratifying to observe the improvement made in
the general morals, of the town, in consequence of
their benevolent exertions.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Although this might with some propriety be pla-
ced under the head o^ Public Institutions, the com-
piler has thought proper to make it a head of itself ;
and he hopes that the following few historical facts
relative to this valuable department, may be useful
to such as feel an interest in its progression and
improvement.

By an act passed by the legislature of this state,
March 15, 1788, " for the better extinguishing of
fires in the town of Brooklyn," the number of fire-
men was limited to eight, who were nominated and
appointed by the freeholders and inhabitants of the
fire district, which was comprised within nearly the
same bounds with the present village.

In the year 1794 the sum of £188 19^. lOd. was
raised by subscription in this town, for purchasing
a fire engine. On the 24th March in the following
year, an act was passed by the legislature " for the
better extinguishing of fires" in this town ; by
which act the number of firemen was increased to
thirty.

1796. The sum of £49 4s was raised by sub-
scription for purchasing " a suitable bell for the
use of the town of Brooklyn." This is the present
fire bell.

March 21, 1797, an act was passed by the legis-
lature " for the prevention of fires, and for regula-
ting the assize of bread, in the town of Brooklyn."
This act authorised the inhabitants to choose not
less than three nor more than five freeholders, who
might from time to time make such prudential by-
laws as they judged necessary, for the prevention
of fires by the burning of chimneys, and for sweep-
ing and otherwise cleansing the same. The inhab-
itants accordingly met on the second Tuesday of
May, in the same year, and appointed Mess'rs.
Henry Stanton, John Doughty, Martin Boerum,
John Van Nostrand, and John Fisher, to carry into
effect the provisions of the above act. In the exe-
cution of which duty the persons so appointed or-
dained, tliai from and after the 11th day of July,
1797, a fine often shillings should be levied on each
person whose chimney should take fire through
carelessness, or be set on fire for the purpose of
cleansing ; and that " all penalties shall be received
and recovered by the clerk of the fire company for
the time being, if he be one of the persons so cho-
sen ; if not, the said persons elected shall nominate
and appoint one of their number to serve lor and
receive in the same manner that the clerk is at pre-
sent authorised." From 1798 to August 6. 1806,
the sum of £20 7s. was received for chimney fines.

For a considerable length of time, this town had but
one small fire engine ; they subsequently purchased
another, which was called No. 2. About 1810,
No. 3. now styled the " Franklin," was purchased
by the inhabitants of the Fire District. The Fire
Department of the village at present consists of four
Fire Engines (of which three are new, namely, Nos.
1,2, and 4,) and a Hook and Ladder Company, viz.

No. 1, " Washino;ton," full complement 30 men,
Foreman, Joshua Sutton.

No. 2, " Neptune," full complement 30 men,
Foreman, Gamaliel King.

No. 3, " Franklin," full complement 30 men,
Foreman, Jeremiah Wells.

No. 4, "Eagle," full complement 30 men, Fore-
man, George Fricke.

Hook and Ladder Company, full complement
30 men, Foreman, John Smith.

There are also in the Navy Yard, two excellent
Fire Engines, well manned, and which, together
with those from New-York, generously come to our
assistance when ever our place is visited by that
dreadful calamity, fire.

The receipts of the Fire Department, from 1794
to 1815, amounted to £898 10s. Id. and the ex-
penditures from July 7, 1795, to November 15,

1816, amounted to £964 3s. 3d.

The office of Clerk and Treasurer of the Fire
Department of this town, was held by John Hicks
Esq. until 1796 ; at which time John Doughty, Esq.
was appointed, who held that office until the incor-
poration of the village in 18 J 6, when he was ap-
pointed Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of
the village, which office he held for one year. In

1817, William Furman, Esq. was appointed Chief
Engineer, and officiated in that capacity until 1821
when, on the resignation of Mr. Furman, John

Doughty, Esq. was again appointed, and continues
to hold the office. The present officers of the Fire
Department are,

John Doughty, Chief Engineer.

Fire Wardens. Joseph Moser, Edward Coopc,
Joseph Sprague.

April 16, 1823, an act was passed by the Legis-
lature of this state to incorporate the firemen of
this village, by the name of the " Fire Department
of the Village of Brooklyn." The act allows this
corporation to hold,purchase,and convey any estate,
real or personal for the use of the corporation; pro-
vided such real or personal estate shall not at any-
time exceed the yearly value of $1000. The fol-
lowing officers were appointed by the act of incor-
poration, viz.

John Doughty, President.
Joshua Sutton, Vice-President.
Richard Cornwell, Secretary.

Trustees. Jeremiah Wells, Morris Simonson,
Michael Trapple, Joseph Moser, George Fricke,
Gamaliel King, Simeon Back, Parshall Wells,
George L. Birch.

Ihe laudable object proposed by this institution,
is to raise a fund for the relief of widows and chil-
dren of deceased firemen.

By an amendment to the act of Incorporation of
the village of Bjooklyn, passed April 9, 1824, it is
provided, " That all fines and penalties under any
by-law of the said village, in relation to the burn-
ing of chimneys, and for the preventing and extin-
guishing of fires, and also, all fines and penalties
either under such by-laws, or under any statute of
this state, in relation to the manner of keeping and
transporting gun-powder within the said village,
shall be sued for in the name of the said Trustees,
(of the village of Brooklyn) by the fire department

of the said village, and when recovered shall be paid
to the said fire department, for their own use."

MISCELLANEOUS.

June 7, 1625, Sarah De Rapalje, born in this
town. Tradition says that she was the first white
child born in the colony. Her parents were Wal-
loons ; from whence is derived the name of Walla-
boght, or Walloons Bay, where they lived. (^ ^) She
was twice married. Her first husband was Hans
Hanse Bergen, by whom she had six children, viz.
Michael Hanse, Joris Hanse, Jan Hanse, Jacob
Hanse, Brechje Hanse, and Marytje Hanse. Her
second husband was Teunis Guysbertse Bogart, by
whom she also had six children, viz. Aurtie Bogart,
Antje Bogart, Neelije Bogart, Aultje Bogart, Cate-
lyntje Bogart, and Guysbert Bogart. The account
of Sarah De Rapelje in the archives of the New-
York Historical Society contains the names of the
persons to whom eleven of her children were mar-
ried, and tells the places where they settled. The
twelfth, Brechje Hanse went to Holland.

March I, 1665, Hendrick Lubbertson and John
Evertsen, appeared as deputies from the town of
Brooklyn, at the Assembly convened at Hemp-
stead, by order of Richard Nicolls, Deputy Gover-
nor under the Duke of York; at which assembly
the code of laws called the " Duke's laws" were
adopted and published. In the appendix marked
E. will be found the address which these deputies,
together with the others, sent to the Duke of York ;
and which occasioned so much excitement in the
Colony at that period.

(26) The first settlement in this town was made by George Jansen
De Rapalje, the father of Sarah in 1623, on the farm which i3 now own-
ed by the family of the Scheocks at the Wallaboght.

100

1671, This town, with five other towns in the
nest Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island, peti-
tioned the Court of Sessions " for liberty to trans-
port wheate," which petition was referred to the
Governor.

1 687. The Clerk's office of KingsCounty was kept
in this town, by the Deputy Register, Jacob Van-
dew-ater, who was also a Notary Public in this town
at the same period. The Register, Samuel Bay-
ard, Lsq. resided in the city of New- York.

About the year 1691, there was a custom pre-
valent in this town of calling a widow the " last
wife" of her deceased husband ; and a widower the
"last man" of his deceased wife.

The following is an Inventory of the estate which
a bride in this town brought with her to her hus-
band in the year 1691. The husband by various

records appears to have been a man of considerable
wealth ; notwithstanding which, the following in-
ventory was thought by both of them, of sufficient
importance to merit being recorded, viz.

"A half worn bed, pillow, 2 cushions of ticking
with feathers, one rug, 4 sheets, 4 cushion covers,
2 iron potts, 3 pewter dishes, 1 pewter bason, 1 iron
roaster, 1 schuryn spoon, 2 cowes about fiveyeares
old, 1 case or cupboard, 1 table.''

November 12, 1695, the Court of Sessions for
Kings County, ordered that the Constable of this
towns, " shall on Sunday or Sabbathday take law
for the apprehending of all Sabbath breakers," and
" search all ale houses, taverns and other suspected
places for all prophaners and breakers of the Sab-
bath daye," and bring them before a Justice of the
Peace to be dealt with according to law. This was
to be done by the Constable under the penalty of
six shillings for each neglect or default.

101

The same Court also made an order, " that Mad
James be kept by Kings County in general, and
that the deacons of each towne within the said coun-
ty doe forthwith meet together and consider about
their propercons for maintainence of said James."
This is the first instance which has come to the
compiler's knowledge of the Court making an order
for the county generally to support a pauper.

In the year 1758, the sum of £122 18s. 7d. was
assessed in two assessments, by the Justices of the
Peace, on this town, towards building " a new
Court house and gaol" for Kings County. The
whole amount assessed on the County was £448
4s. Id.

The present Court house of Kings County, was
built by contract in the year 1792, at an expense
of $2944, 71, under the superintendence of John
Vanderbilt, Johannes E. Lott, and Charles Dough-
ty, Esq'rs. The contractor was Thomas Fardon,
and plans were furnished for the building by INIessrSo
Stanton and Newton, and James Robertson. (^ ■^)

(27) In 1700 the Court House was let to James Simson for one year,
at L'i "in money." In this agreement, "the Justices reserved for
themselves the Chamber in the said house, called the Court Chamber,
at the time of their publique Sessions, Courts of Common Pleas, and
private meetings j as also the room called the prison for the use of the
Sheriff if he hath occasion for it."

Deed from William Morris and ivife to the Corfioration

of JVeiv-York.

This Indenture made the twelfth day of October, in
the sixth year of the reign of our Sovereie^n Lord and
Lady William and Mary, by the grace of God, of En-
gland, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King and Queen,
defenders of the faith, &c. and in the year of our Lord
one thousand six hundred and ninety-four, between Wil-
liann Morris, now of the ferry, in the bounds of the
town of Breuchlen, in Kings County, on Long-Island,
Gentleman, and Rebecca his wife of the one part, and
the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of
New-York, of the other part, Wiinesseth, that the said
William Morris, by and with the consent of Rebecca
his said wife, testified by her being a party to the seal-
ing and delivery of these presents, for, and in consider-
ation of a certain sum of good and lawful money to him,
at and before the sealing and delivery hereof, by the
said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, in hand well
and truly paid, the receipt whereol he the said William
Morris doth hereby acknowledge, and thereof and there-
from and of and from all and every part thereof, he
doth hereby acquit, exonerate and discharge the said
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, and their succes-
sors forever, hath granted, bargained, sold, assigned,
conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents doth
grant, bargain, sell, assign, convey and confirm unto
the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said
city of New York, and their successors forever. All that
messuage or dwelling house and lot of ground there-
unto adjoining and belonging, with the appurtenances,
situate, lying and bemg at the ferry, in the bounds of
the town of Breucklen, in Kings County aforesaid, now
and late in the possession of him, the said William

103

Morris ; as also one small house, now in the possession
of one Thomas Hock, lying in the said City of New-
York, over against the ferry aforesaid, Together with all
and singular houses, barns, stables, yards, backsides,
wharfs, easements, benefits, emoluments, hereditaments,
and appurtenances to the same messuage or dwelling
house and premises belonging, or in any wise apper-
taining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and
remainders, rents, issues, and profits of all and singular
the premisses and the appurtenances, and all the estate,
right, title interest, property, possession, claim and de-
mand of him the said William Morris and Rebecca his
said wife, of, in, unto or out of the said messuage or
dwelling house and premises, or, of, in, unto, or out of,
all or any part or parcel thereof, and all and singular
grants, deeds, escripts, minuments, writings and evi-
dences, touching, relating to or concerning the above-
mentioned, to be bargained, messuage or dwelling house
and all and singular, the premises with the heredita-
ments and appurtenances to the same belonging, or any
part thereof, unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Com-
monalty of the City of New-York, aforesaid, and their
successors unto the only proper use, benefit and behoof
of the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the
City oi New-York aforesaid, their successors and assigns
forever. In witness, 8cc. (28)

A Warrant for enforcing the fiaymrnt of a toivn tax in
the toivn of Brooklyn,

Whereas there was an order or towne lawe by the
ffreeholders of the towne of Brooklyn, in Kings County
aforesaid, the 5th day of May, 1701, ffor constituting

(28) The above deed to tlie Corporation of New- York did not extend
to the River. January 13, 1717, Samuel Garritseu, ofGravesend, quit-
claimed to David Aersen of Brooklyn, all his right ana title to a piece
of land, " lying next to the house and land belonging^ to the City of New-
York, bounded north-west by the River, south-east by the highway that
goes to tiie ferry, south-west by the house and land belonging to the
City of New-York, and north-east by the house and land belonging to
the said John Rapalje, containing one acre be the same more or less.»'
On the 16th day of the same month, David Aersen sold this property to
Gerrit Harsuin of New-York, GuQemith, for the sum ofLlOB curreot
money of New- York.

104

and appointing of Trustrees to defend the rights of
their quondam common wood lands, and to raise a tax
ffor the same to defray the charge of that and theire
towne debts, &c. which said lawe has bin since ffurther
confirmed by said ffreeholders at a towne meeting at
Bedford, the llthof Apriil, 1702, and since approved
of and confirmed by a Court of Sessions, held at Fflat-
bush, in said County the 1 3th day of May, 1702. And
whereas by virtue of said lawe, a certaine small tax was
raised on the ffreeholders in said towne proportionably
to defray the charges aforesaid : And now upon com-
plaint of the said Trustees to us made, that A- B. has
refused to pay his juste and due proporcon of said tax
wch amounts to Ll 16s Od, current money of New-
York. These are therefore in her Majesty's name, to
command you to summons A. B. personally to be and
appeare before us, Sec, then and there to answer C. D.
K. F. Trustees of said towne of Brooklin, in an action
of tresspass on the case, to the damage of the said C D.
E. F. Ll 16s Od, current money as aforesaid, as it is
said, and have with you then there this precept. Giv-
en, &c.

Brookland, November 14th, 1753. A Town meeting
called by warrant of Carel Debevois, Esq. and Jacobus
Debevois, Esq. two of his Majesty*s Justices for the
township of Brookland, in the County of Kings, to elect
and chuse Trustees to defend our Patent of Brookland
against the Commonalty of the City of New-York. —
And the Trustees so elected and chosen by the free-
holders and inhabitants of the township of Brookland
aforesaid, are as follows : Jacobus Lefferts, Peter Van-
dervoort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen, and Nicholas
Vechte. And we the hereunder subscribers being free-
holders and inhabitants of the township of Brookland, by
these presents do fully impower and authorize the
abovesaid Trustees, Jacobus Lefferts, Peter Vande-
voort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen, and Nicholas
Vechte, elected and chosen by the freeholders and in-
habitants of the township of Brookland aforesaid, to de-

105

lend our patent where in any manner our nberties, pri-
vileges and rights in our patent specified is incroached,
lessened or taken away by the C(:>mmonalty of the City
of New-York. And that we hereunder subscribers of
the township of Brookland, oblige ourselves, our heirs,
executors and administrators to pay to the abovesaid
Trustees, all cost that they are at in protecting of the
profits of our patent, and that money shall be collected
in by the constable of our town. And that the above-
said Trustees do obUge themselves to render upon oath
a true account of all such moneys they have expended
in protecting or defending our patent, to any person or
persons, as ihe hereunder subscribers shall appoint for
that purpose. And in defending our patent so that ver-
dict shall come in our favour, where income of money
or other piofits should arise concerning the premises,
all such profits or income should be kept towards de-
fraying ot ail the necessary cost and charge of our town-
ship of Brookland, till such lime as it is altered by the

majority. And that the Trustees should have three
shillings per day for their service and no more.

The Petition of Volkert Brier.

To HIS Excellency. — The humble peticon of Vol-
kert Brier, inhabitant of the towne of Broockland, on
the Island of Nassau.

May it please your Excellency your peticoner being
fined five pounds last Court of Sessions, in Kings Coun-
ty for tearing an execucon directed to him as Constable.
Your peticoner being ignorant of the crime, and not
thinking it was of force when he was out of his office,
or that he should have made returne of it as the lawe
directs, he being an illiterate man could not read said ex-
ecucon nor understand any thing of lawe : humbly prays
yr Excellency yt you would be pleased to remit said
fine of five pounds, yr peticoner being a poorc man and
not capaciated to pay said fine without great damage
to himself and family. And for yr Excellecy yr peti-
coner will ever pray, &c.

106

A Letter from Justice Ffilkin to the Secretary at

tDTeW' York,

Sir, — I am in expectation of a complaint coming to
his Excellency by Coll. Beeckman against me, and tliat
his Excellency may be rightly informed of the matter,
my humble request to you is, that if such a thing hap-
pen, be pleased to give his Excellency an account there-
of, which is as follows : A Ffriday night lasi, the Jus-
tices of the County and I came from his Excellency's ;
Coll. Beeckman happened to come over m the ffcrry
boat along with us, and as we came over the fferry,
Coll. Bteckmau and we went into the fferry house to
drink a glass of wine, and being soe in company, there
happened a dispute between Coll. Beeckman and my-
self, about his particular order that he lately made to
Mr. Ffreeman, when he was President of the Councill,
without the consent of the Councill ; Coll. Beeckman
stood to affirm there, before most of the Justices of
Kings County, that said order, that he made then to
Mr. Ffreeman as President only, was still in fforce,and
that Mr. Ffreeman should preach at Broockland next
Sunday according to that order ; whereupon I said it
was not in fforce, but void and of uoe effect, and he had
not in this County, any more power now than I have,
being equall in commission with him in the general
commission of the peace and one of the (juorum as well
as he ; upon which he gave me affronting words, giv-
ing me the lie and calling me pitiifull fellow, dog,
rogue, rascal), &c. which caused me, being overcome
with passion, to tell him that 1 had a good mind to knock
him off his horse, we being both at that time getting
upon our horses to goe home, but that I would not got,
I would fight him at any time with a sword. I could
wish that these last words had bin kept in, and I am
troubled that I was soe overcome with passion and in-
flamed with wine. The woiks of these Dutch minis-
ters is the occasion of all our quarrclls.(28) And this

(1!B) The compiler congratulates his fellow citizens on the extinction
of tliose national animosities which in foiuier times existed between the
Dutch and English in this our happy country. We may now truly as.V
witJi iSterDC, *' are we not all relations;'"

107

is the truth of the matter, there was no blows offerred,
nor noe more done. Mr. Ffreeman has preached at
Bioockland yesterday accordingly, and the church doore
was broke open, by whom it is not yet knowne. Soe I
beg your pardon ff.>r this trouble, crave your favour in
this matter, and shall alwayes remaine.

Sir, your ffaithful and humble servant,

H FFILKIN.

[E]

The Address of the Deputies^ assembled at Hemfistead.

We the depuiies duly elected from the several towns
upon Long-Island, being assembled at Hempstead, in
general meeting, by authority derived from your royal
highness unto the honorable Colonel Nicolls, as deputy
governor, do most humbly and thankfully acknowledge
to your ro)al highness, the great honor and satisfaction
we receive in our dependence upon your royal highness
according to the tenor of his sacred majesty's patent,
granted the 12th day of March, 1664 ; wherein we ac-
knowledge ourselves, our heirs and successors forever,
to be comprized to all intents and purposes, as therein
is more at large expressed. And wc do publickly and
unanimously declare our cheerful submission to all such
laws, statutes and ordinances, which are or shall be
made by virtue of authority from your royal highness,
your heirs and successors forever : As also, that we
will maintain, uphold, and defend, to the utmost of our
power, and peril of us, our heirs and successors forever,
all the rights, title, and interest, granted by his sacred
majesty to your royal highness, against all pretensions
or invasions, foreign or domestic ; we being already
well assured, that, in so doing, we perform our duty of
allegiance to his majesty, as frceborn subjects of the
kingdom of England inhabiting in these his majesty's
dominions. We do farther beseech your royal high-
ness to accept of this address, as the first fruits in this
general meeting, for a memorial and record against us,
our heirs and successors, when we or any of them shall
fail in our duties. Lastly we beseech your royal high-

108

ness to trke onr poverties and necessities, in this wilder-
ness couniry, into speedy consideration ; that, by con-
stant supplies ot trade, and your royal highnesses more
particular countenance ot i^race to us, and protection of
us, we may daily more and more be encouraged to be-
stow our labors to the improvement of these his majes-
ty's western dominions, under your royal highness ; for
whose health, long life, and eternal happiness, we shall
ever pray, us in duty bound.

List of the Defiuties.

New-Utrecht

Gravesend

Flatlands

Flatbush

Bushwick

Brooklyn

Newtown

Flushing

Jamaica

Hempstead

Oysterbay

Huntington

Brook haven

Southold

Southampton

Easthampton

Westchester

Jaques Cortelleau
James Hubbard,
Elbert Elbertsen
John Striker
John Stealman
Hendric k Lubbei
Richard Betts
Elias Doughty
Daniel Denton
John Hicks
John Underbill
Jonas Wood
Daniel Lane
William Wells
Thomas Topping
Thomas Baker
Edward Jessup

Younger Hope
Joiin Bowne
Roeloffe Martense
Hendiick Gucksen
Gisbert Tunis
tsen John Evertsen
John Coe
Richard Cornhiil
Tliomas Benedict
Robert Jackson
Matthias Harvey
John Ketcham
Roger Barton
John Youngs
John Howell
John Stratton
Quinby

The people of Long-Island considered the language
of this address as too servile for freemen ; and were
exasperated against the makers of it to such a degree
that the court of assizes, in order to save the deputies
from abuse, if not from personal violence, thought it
expedient, at their meeting in October 1666, to declare
that " whosoever hereafter shall any wayes detract or
speake against any of the deputies signing the address
to his royall highnes, at the general meeting at Hemp-
stead, they shall bee presented to the next court of ses-
sions, and if the justices shall sec cause, they shall

109

from thence bee bound over, to the assizes, there to
answer for the slander upon plaint or information."

The deputies subsequently to the address made to
the duke of York, made one to the people, in which
they set forth their reasons for agreeing to the code
styled the duke*s laws.

AFPENDrS, No. 2.

The following is a copy of the fiwst charter by which
Ihe corporation obtained any color of title to the land
between high and low water mark, on the Brooklyn side.

*' Anne, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, Queen, defender of the Faith, &c.
To all whom these presents may in any wise con-
cern, sendeth greeting. Whereas the mayor, alder-
men, and commonalty of the city of New-York, by their
petition to our trusty and well-beloved cousin Edward,
Viscount Cornbury, (^^) our captain general and go-
vernor in chief in and over our province of New-York,
and territories depending thereon in America, and Vice
Admiral of the same, &c. preferred in council ; therein
setting forth, that they having a right and interest, un-
der divers antient charters and grants, by divers former
governors and commanders in chief of our said province
of New-York,( ^ ") under our noble progenitors, in a cer-

(29) " Lord Cornbury came to this province in very indigent circum-
stances, hunted out of England by a host of hungry creditors, he was
bent on getting as much money as he could squeeze out of the purses of
an impoverished people." He was infamous for his " excessive avarice
his embezzlement of the public money, and his sordid refusal to pay his
private debts." Cornbury became so obnoxious to the inhabitants of
this province, that they sent a coniplaint to England against hira. The
Queen in consequence of this complaint displaced him. " As soon as
his lordship was superseded, his creditors threw him into the custody
of the sheriff of New-York." See Smith's History of IVew-York. Sucli
was the man from whom the corporation of Psew-York obtained the
rights of tlie town of Brooklyn.

(30) These '• divers former governors," &c. are limited to two, viz.
Kicolls, who in 1665 granted them a charter, if that may be strictly
called so, which only altered their form of government from scout,
burgomasters, and schepens, to mayor and aldermen, without a word
about ferries or water rights, or indeed any other matter — the original
of which paper is not in existence. There is nothing to warrant a be-
lief that there was a charter of any kind granted to the corporation
between Nicolls and Dongan, who is the second of these " divers for-
mer governors," &c. and who in 1686 granted them the ferry, (as is
mentioned in a former part of this work) with an express reservation as
to the rights of all others. The charter of Dongan, notwithstanding
all their pompous recitals, is the oldest they can produce, which iu any
manner affects the interesta of this town.

Ill

tain ferry from the said city of New-York, over the East
River, to Nassau Island, (alias Long-Island) and from
the said Island to the said city again, and have possess-
ed the same, and received all the profits benefits and
advantages thereof for the space of fifty years and up-
wards ; and perceiving the profits, advantages, and be-
nefits usually issuing out of the same, to diminish, de-
crease, and fall short of what might be reasonably made
of the same, for the want of the bounds and limits to be
extended and enlarged on the said Island side, whereby
to prevent divers persons transporting themselves and
goods to and from the said Island Nassau (alias Long
Island) over the said river, without coming or landing
at the usual and accustomed places, where the ferry
boats are usually kept and appointed, to the great loss
and damage of the said city of New-York ; have hum-
bly prayed our grant and confirmation, under the great
seal of our said province of New-York, of the said ferry,
called the Old Ferry, on both sides of the said East
River, for the transporting of passengers, goods, horses
and cattle, to and from the said city, as the same is now
held and enjoyed by the said mayor, aldermen and com-
monalty of the said city of New-York, or their under
tenant, or under tenants ; and also of all that vacant
and unappropriated land, from high water mark to low
water mark, on the said Nassau Island, Talias Long
Island] lying contiguous and fronting the said city of
New York, from a certain place called the Wall-about,
unto the Red Hook, over against Nutten Island, for the
better improvement and accommodation of the said fer-
ry ; with full power, leave and license to set up, estab-
lish, maintain, and keep one or more ferry, or ferries,
for the ease and accommodation of all passengers and
travellers, for the transportation of themselves, goods*
horses and cattle, over the said river, within the bounds
aforesaid, as they shall see meet and convenient, and
occasion require ; and to establish, ordain and make,
bye laws, orders, and ordinances for the due and order-
ly regulation of the same : The which petition we be-
ing minded to grant, Know Ye, That of our especial
grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we have

112

given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and in and by
these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do
give, grant, ratify and confirm, unto the said mayor, al-
dermen and commonalty of the city of New-York, and
to their successors and assigns, all that the said ferry,
called the Old Ferry, on both sides of the said East Ri-
ver, for the transportation of passengers, goods, horses
and cattle, over the said river, to and from the said city
and island, as the same is now used, held and enjoyed,
by the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the
city of New-York, or their under tenant or under ten-
ants, with all and singular the usual and accustomed
ferriage, fees, perquisites, rents, issues, profits, and
other benefits and advantages whatsoever, to the said
Old Ferry belonging, or therewith used, or thereout
arising ; and also all that the aforesaid vacant and un-
appropriated ground, lying and being on the said Nas-
sau Island, (alias Long-Island) from high water mark
to low water mark aforesaid, contiguous and fronting
the said city of New-York, from the aforesaid place
called the Wallabout to Red Hook aforesaid ; that is to
say, from the east side of the Wallabout, opposite the
now dwelling house of James Bobine, to the west side
of the Red Hook, commonly called the Fishing-place,
%vith all and singular the appurtenances and heredita-
ments to the same belonging, or in any wise of right
appertaining ; together with all and singular the rents,
issues, profits, advantages, and appurtenances, which
heretofore have, now are, 8c which hereafter shall belong
to the said ferry ,vacant land, and premises, herein before
granted and confirmed, or to any or either of them, in
any wise appertaining, or which heretofore have been,
now are, and which hereafter shall belong, be used,
held, received, and enjoyed ; and all our estate, right,
title and interest, benefit and advantage, claim and de-
mand, of, in or to the said ferry, vacant land and premi-
ses, or any part or parcel thereof, 8c the reversion & rever-
sions, remainder and remainders ; together with the year-
ly, and other rents, revenues and profits of the premises,
and of every part and parcel thereof, except and always
reserved out of tliis our present grant and confirmation}

113

free liberty, leave and license to and for all and every
person or persons, inhabiting or having plaiUations near
the said river, by the water side, within the limits and
bounds above mentioned, to transport themselves, goods,
horses, and cattle, over the said river, to and from the
said city of New-York, and Nassau Island, (alias Long-
Island) to and from their respective dwellings or plant-
ations, without any ferriage, or other account to the
said ferry, hereby granted and confirmed, to be paid or
given ; so always as the said person or persons do
transport themselves only, and their own goods, in their
own boats only, and not any stranger or their goods,
horses or cattle, or in any other boat. To have and to
hold, all and singular the said ferry, vacant land and
premises, herein before granted and confirmed, or
meant, mentioned, or intended to be hereby granted
and confirmed (except as is herein before excepted^
and all and singular the rents, issues, profits, rights,
members and appurtenances, to the same belonging, or
in any wise of right appertaining, unto the said mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the city of New-York, and
their successors and assigns forever ; to the only pro-
per use and behoof of the said mayor, aldermen, and
commonalty of the city of Ncw-Yoik, and their succes-
sors and assigns forever ; to be holden of us, our heirs
and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our
manour of East-Greenwich, in the county of Kent, with-
in our kingdom of England ; yielding, rendering, and
paying unlo us, our heirs and successors, for the same,
yearly, at our custom-house of Ncw-Yoik, to our col-
lector and receiver general there for the time being,
at or upon the feast of the nativity of St John the Bap-
tist, the yearly rent or sum of five shillings, current
money of New-York. And we do furiher, of our espe-
cial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, for us,
our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said
mayor, aldermen anu commonalty, and their successors,
full and free leave and license to set up, establish, keep,
and maintain one or more ferry or ferries, as they shall
from time to limc think fit and convenient, within the
limits and bounrls aforesaid, for tiic ease and accommo-

10^

114

dation of transporting of passengers, goods, horses and
cattle, between the said city of New-York and the said
Island (except as is herehi before excepted) under such
reasonable rates and payments as have been usually
paid and received for the same ; or which at any time
hereafter, shall be by them established, by and with the
consent and approbation of our governor and council of
our said province, for the time being (^ ^) And we do
further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and
meer motion, give, and grant unto the said mayor, al-
dermen, and commonalty of the city of New-York, and
their successors, full and absolute power and authority,
lo make, ordain, establish, constitute and confirm, all
TTianner of by-laws, orders, rules, ordinances and direc-
tions, for the more orderly keeping, and regularly main-
taining the aforesaid ferry that now is kept, or any fer-
ry or ferries which shall at any time or times hereafter,
be set up, established, or kept within the bounds afore-
said, by virtue hereof, or of, for, touching or concerning
ihe same, (so always as the same be not contrary to
our laws of England, and of our province of New-York)
and the same at all times hereafter to put in execution,
or abrogate, revoke, or change, as they in their good
discretion shall think fit, and most convenient, for the
due and orderly keeping, regulating, and governing the
said ferry or ferries herein before mentioned. And
lastly, our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby de-
clare and grant, that these our letters patent, or the
record thereof, in the secretary's office of our said pro-
vince of New-York, shall be good and effectual in the
law, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, notwith-
standing the not true and well reciting or mentioning
of the premises, or any part thereof, or the limits and
bounds thereof, or of any former or other letters pa-
tents, or grants whatsoever, made or granted ; or of
any part thereof, by us, or any of our progenitors, unto
any person or persons whatsoever, bodies poliiic or

(31) The corporation of New-Vork appear to have abandoned the
right of regulating tlie rate of ferriage very early ; for in 17 17, nine
years after the date of this charter, an act was passed by the colonial
legislature for that purpose.

115

corporate, (^^) or any law or other restraint, incertain-
ty, or imperfection whatsoever, to the contrary in any
wise notwithstanding, and althoui^h express mention of
the true yearly value, or certainty of the premises, or
of any of them, or of any other gifts or grants by us or
by any of our progenitors, heretofore made to the said
mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the city of New-
York, in these presents, is not made, or any other mat-
ter, cause, or thing whatsoever, to the contrary thereof
in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony whereof,
we have caused these our letters to be made patent,
and the seal of our said province of New-York, to our
said letters patent to be affixed, and the same to be re-
corded, in the secretary's office of our said province. —
Witness our right trusty and well-beloved cousin, Ed-
ward Viscourit Cornbury, captain general and governor
in chief in and over our province of New-York afore-
said, and territories thereon depending in A.nerica, and
vice admiral of the same, See. in council, at our Fort,
in New-York, the nineteenth day of April, in the seventh
year of our reign, Annoq. Domini one thousand seven
hundred and eight. CORNBURY.

At the time of printing that part of this work un-
der the head of " Common lands and the division
thereof," the compiler was not aware of the exist-
ence of the following proceeding relating to the di-
vision of the said lands, he has therefore placed the
same in this appendix.

" At a towne meeting held this twentieth day of
Aprill, 1697, at Bedford within the jurisdiction of
Broockland, in Kings County, upon the Island of
Nassau, Resolved by all the ffreeholders of the
towne of Broockland aforseaid, that all their com-
mon land not yet laid out or divided, belonging to
their whole patent shall be equally divided and laid

(32) This clause was undoubtedly inserted to obviate, if possible
the claim under the two Brook lyo patents, both of which were many
years older than this charter.

116

out to each fiVeeholders of said towne, bisjast pro-
porcon in all the common lands abovesaid, except
those that have but an house and a home lott, which
are only to have but half share of the lands afore-
said. And for the laviner out of the said lands there
are chosen and appointed by the freeholders above-
said, Capt. Henry Ffilkin. Jacobus Vanderwater,
Daniel Rapale, Joris Hansen, John Dorlant, and
Cornelius Vanduyne. It is further ordered that noc
men within this township abovesaid. shall have pri-
viledge to sell his part of the undivided lands of
Broockland not yet laid out, to any person living
without the township abovesaid. It is likewise
ordered, consented to, and agreed by the towne
meeting aforesaid, that Capt. Henry Ffilkin shall
have a full share with any or all the ffreeholdei s
aforesaid, in all the common land or woods in
the whole patent of the towne of Broockland
aforesaid, besides a half share for his home loit ;
To have and to hold to him, his heirs and
assigns forever. It is likewise ordered, that noe
person whatsoever within the common woods of the
jurisdicon of Broockland aforesaid, shall cutt or fall
any oake or chesnut saplings for fire wood during
the space of foure years from the date hereof upon
any of the said common lands or v\oods within the
jurisdicon of Broockland patent, upon the penalty
of six shillings in money, for every waggon load of
saplings abovesaid soe cutt, besides the forfeiture of
the wood or timber soe cutt as abovesaid, the one
half thereof to the informer, and the other half for
the use of the poor of the towne of Broockland
aforesaid.

By order of the towne meeting aforesaid,
and Justice Henry Ffilkin,
Jacobus V'andewater, Towne Clerk."

CONTENTS.

Page.

Situation of the Town of Brooklyn, ^

Ancient Xames and Renjains, ------ 6

Soil and Climate, ---------7

Ancient Grants and Patents, ------ 8

Town Rights and Ferries, -------21

Roads and Public Landing Places, ----- 36

Common Land?, and the Division thereof, - - _ 40

DidTerences as to Bounds, ------- 46

Revolutionary Incidents, ------- iO

Ancient Government, -.------55

Present Government, --------68

Public Buildings and Institutions, _ - - - - 73

Schools, Newspapers and Moral Character, - - - - 92

Fire Department, -------- 95

Miscellaneous, -___----- 99

Appendix, ---------- 102

ADVXSRTZSEMEZgT.

The Compiler here closes his notes, and has only
to remark, that throughout the whole of this little
work, he has been less solicitous about his reputation
as an author, than a correct compiler. Studies of this
nature are but ill calculated to admit of a luxuri-
ance of diction or sentiment, and to these he has in
no place aspired. His business was to collect au-
thentic information concerning subjects at once ob-
scure and Interesting, and in what degree he has
effected this object he leaves his readers to deter-
mine, feeling conscious himself, that however im-
perfectly he may have executed his design, his only
aim was the public good.

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Full text of "Notes geographical and historical, relating to the town of Brooklyn, in Kings County on Long-Island"

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